Modular building systems, components, and methods

ABSTRACT

Pre-fabricated components such as beams, beam nodes, floor panels, wall panels, roof beams, ceiling posts, and roof panels are useful for constructing buildings such as houses. In some cases, conservation of materials, ease of construction, and superior structural integrity appear.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present nonprovisional application is a continuation-in-part under35 U.S.C. §120 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/721,275, alsoentitled, “MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, AND METHODS,” and filedon May 26, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the construction of buildings frompre-fabricated components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, most houses in North America are built by hand from rawmaterials one piece at a time. First, a foundation usually of concreteis framed, poured, and allowed to harden. Then, a wooden frame for theabove-ground structure is added by nailing one 2″×4″ stud into place ata time. A roof, exterior wall materials such as bricks and siding,insulation, plumbing, wiring, duct work, and interior drywall surfacescome next. Each piece of wood is measured, cut, and attached on site, asare pieces of many other materials such as weatherproofing, insulation,and the like. This construction by hand requires a relatively enormousamount of skilled manpower employed on the construction site, and leadsto a staggering amount of material waste and significant variability inthe quality, fit, and finish from one house to the next.

Constructing a house from pre-fabricated components also has been tried.But building by hand remains the norm, because the use of pre-fabricatedcomponents raises its own set of difficulties. Transporting andinstalling bulky components that still require customization by handhave prevented pre-fabrication from replacing building by hand in abroad manner across the house-building industry. In addition, therelatively poor structural integrity and fit and finish of certainpre-fabrication-built houses have hindered wide-spread acceptance byhouse-buying consumers.

The industry needs an easier way to pre-fabricate components for newhouses and buildings, and to assemble those components easily. Those newhouses and buildings also need a structural integrity that the publicwill accept.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Unexpectedly, Applicants have invented modular building systems,components, and methods that address certain needs of industry. In someembodiments of the present invention, modular building components appearthat are smaller than pre-fabricated components tried before. Thatsmaller size facilitates transportation and construction, in some cases.In other cases, certain embodiments provide for the introduction ofreinforcements that greatly enhance the structural integrity of thecompleted building far beyond that exhibited by buildings built by handand required by conventional building codes. In still other cases,pre-fabrication dramatically reduces material waste, and allows forsignificant scrap recycling that is not feasible for scrap produced onthe construction site of a building built by hand. The types ofbuildings that can be built in accordance with the present invention arenot limited. Houses, garages, sheds, commercial buildings, warehouses,portable or quickly-constructed buildings useful in military anddisaster relief efforts, office buildings, and multi-family dwellingstructures may be mentioned.

Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention relate to beamsuseful in modular construction comprising: one or more vertical supportmembers supporting and separating an upper horizontal support member anda lower horizontal support member; and at least one ledger adapted tosupport a vertical load.

Other embodiments relate to beam nodes useful in modular constructioncomprising: a lower horizontal support member supporting at least twovertical support members, wherein the at least two vertical supportmembers define at least two beam coupling elements; and at least oneregistration element.

Still other embodiments relate to floor panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: at least one rib supporting and separating anupper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adaptedto serve as a floor surface or floor subsurface; and wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizing coupling element.

Additional embodiments relate to floor panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: at least one anchor supporting and separatingan upper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface isadapted to serve as a floor surface or floor subsurface; and wherein theat least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement. In some embodiments, an anchor comprises a singleshear-stabilizing coupling element; in other embodiments, an anchorcomprises more than one shear-stabilizing coupling element.

Yet additional embodiments relate to wall panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: a first main surface; a second main surface; aplurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; and at least one shear blockreceiving port positioned at a first edge of the first main surface; atleast one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge of thefirst main surface; wherein the first edge and the second edge arepositioned on opposing sides of the first main surface.

Still further embodiments relate to corner wall panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: two main outside surfaces comprising a firstmain outside surface joining a second main outside surface defining anoutside corner; two main inside surfaces comprising a first main insidesurface joining a second main inside surface defining an inside corner;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the main outsidesurfaces from the main inside surfaces; at least one shear blockreceiving port positioned at an edge of the first main outside surfacedistal from the outside corner; and at least one shear block receivingport positioned at an edge of the second main outside surface distalfrom the outside corner.

Additional embodiments relate to roof panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: at least one rib supporting and separating anupper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adaptedto serve as a roof surface or roof subsurface; and wherein the at leastone rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizing coupling element.

Additional embodiments relate to roof panels useful in modularconstruction comprising: at least one anchor supporting and separatingan upper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface isadapted to serve as a roof surface or roof subsurface; and wherein theat least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement.

Other embodiments relate to roof beams useful in modular constructioncomprising: one or more vertical support members supporting andseparating an upper support member and a lower support member; and afirst registration element and a second registration element adapted totransfer load to structure below.

Still further embodiments relate to buildings comprising at least onebeam as described herein; at least one beam node as described herein; atleast one floor panel as described herein; at least one wall panel asdescribed herein; at least one corner wall panel as described herein; atleast one roof panel as described herein; at least one gable wall panelas described herein; at least one roof beam as described herein; or acombination of any two or more of the foregoing.

Applicants have also invented methods of manufacturing each of thecomponents described herein, the parts that make up those components,and buildings and parts of buildings that contain those components. Forexample, certain embodiments provide methods of constructing a building,comprising:

(a) installing a plurality of helical piles in ground to establish asubfoundation for the building;(b) affixing a plurality of beams to the helical piles, wherein thebeams comprise one or more vertical support members supporting andseparating an upper horizontal support member and a lower horizontalsupport member; and at least one ledger adapted to support a verticalload, wherein at least some of the beams are coupled to other beams inthe plurality of beams, to form a foundation for the building;(c) affixing a plurality of floor panels to the foundation, wherein thefloor panels comprise at least one rib supporting and separating anupper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adaptedto serve as a floor surface or subsurface; and wherein the at least onerib comprises at least one shear-stabilizing coupling element, whereinat least some of the floor panels are coupled to adjoining floor panelsin the plurality via the at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement, to form a floor of the building;(d) affixing a plurality of wall panels to the foundation, wherein thewall panels comprise a first main surface; a second main surface; aplurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; and at least one shear blockreceiving port positioned at a first edge of the first main surface; atleast one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge of thefirst main surface; wherein the first edge and the second edge arepositioned on opposing sides of the first main surface; wherein at leastsome of the wall panels engage registration elements of at least some ofthe beams of the foundation, and transfer vertical load to at least someof the ledgers of the beams of the foundation;(e) inserting a plurality of shear blocks into at least some of theshear block receiving ports of adjacent wall panels, thereby stabilizingthe wall panels, and thereby forming a wall of the building;(f) affixing a plurality of roof panels and a plurality of roof beams tothe wall,wherein the roof panels compriseat least one rib supporting and separating an upper surface anda lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roofsurface or roof subsurface;wherein the roof beams compriseone or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper support member anda lower support member; anda first registration element and a second registration element adaptedto transfer load to structure below, wherein the structure belowcomprises the wall; andaffixing at least one upper surface to at least one upper supportmember;and wherein the at least one rib comprises at least oneshear-stabilizing coupling element; wherein at least some of the roofpanels are coupled to adjoining roof panels in the plurality of roofpanels via the at least one shear-stabilizing coupling element, to forma roof of the building,thereby constructing the building.

Yet additional embodiments relate to methods of constructing a floor ofa building comprising:

(b) affixing to a subfoundation a plurality of beams, wherein the beamscomprise one or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper horizontal support member and a lower horizontal supportmember; andat least one ledger adapted to support a vertical load, wherein at leastsome of the beams are coupled to other beams in the plurality of beams,to form a foundation for the building;(c) affixing a plurality of floor panels to the foundation, wherein thefloor panels comprise at least one rib supporting and separating anupper surface and a lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adaptedto serve as a floor surface or floor subsurface; and wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizing coupling element,wherein at least some of the floor panels are coupled to adjoining floorpanels in the plurality of floor panels via the at least oneshear-stabilizing coupling element, to form a floor of the building.

Some embodiments provide methods of constructing a wall of a building,the method comprising:

(d) affixing a plurality of wall panels to a foundation of the building,wherein the wall panels comprise a first main surface; a second mainsurface; a plurality of edge members that support and separate the firstmain surface from the second main surface; and at least one shear blockreceiving port positioned at a first edge of the first main surface; atleast one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge of thefirst main surface; wherein the first edge and the second edge arepositioned on opposing sides of the first main surface; and(e) inserting a plurality of shear blocks into at least some of theshear block receiving ports of adjacent wall panels, thereby stabilizingthe wall panels, and thereby forming a wall of the building.

Other embodiments relate to methods of constructing a roof of abuilding, comprising:

(f) affixing a plurality of roof panels and a plurality of roof beams toa wall of the building, wherein the roof panels comprise at least onerib supporting and separating an upper surface anda lower surface; wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roofsurface or roof subsurface; and wherein the at least one rib comprisesat least one shear-stabilizing coupling element;wherein the roof beams comprise one or more vertical support memberssupporting and separating an upper support member and a lower supportmember; and a first registration element and a second registrationelement adapted to transfer load to structure below, wherein thestructure below comprises the wall;affixing at least one upper surface to at least one upper supportmember;wherein at least some of the roof panels are coupled to adjoining roofpanels in the plurality via the at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement, to construct the roof of the building.

Certain additional embodiments provide methods of manufacturing a beamuseful in modular construction comprising:

constructing a beam comprising one or more vertical support memberssupporting and separating an upper horizontal support member and a lowerhorizontal support member; and at least one ledger adapted to support avertical load, thereby manufacturing the beam.

Still other embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing a floor paneluseful in modular construction, comprising:

constructing a floor panel comprising at least one rib supporting andseparating an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein the uppersurface is adapted to serve as a floor surface or subsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element. Optionally, at least one anchor can replace the atleast one rib, as described herein.

Yet other embodiments provide methods of manufacturing a wall paneluseful in modular construction, comprising:

constructing a wall panel comprising a first main surface; a second mainsurface;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; and at least one shear blockreceiving port positioned at a first edge of the first main surface; atleast one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge of thefirst main surface; wherein the first edge and the second edge arepositioned on opposing sides of the first main surface,thereby manufacturing the wall panel.

Further embodiments relate to methods of manufacturing a roof paneluseful in modular construction, comprising:

constructing a roof panel comprising at least one rib supporting andseparating an upper surface and a lower surface; wherein the uppersurface is adapted to serve as a roof surface or subsurface; and whereinthe at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement, thereby manufacturing the roof panel. Optionally, at least oneanchor can replace the at least one rib, as described herein.

While the disclosure provides certain specific embodiments, theinvention is not limited to those embodiments. A person of ordinaryskill will appreciate from the description herein that modifications canbe made to the described embodiments and therefore that thespecification is broader in scope than the described embodiments. Allexamples are therefore non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventioncomprising a partially-constructed house including several inventivecomponents.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment comprising beamsand beam nodes.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective exploded view of the detail of beams 102,103 engaging beam node 503.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict alternating perspective views of wall panels 302,303 engaging beam 103 and floor panel 202.

FIGS. 6 and 7 depicts a partially-exploded perspective view of floorpanels, wall panels, a beam, and a roof panel coming together.

FIG. 8 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of wall panels,gable wall panels, and floor panels coming together.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of wall panels,a gable wall panel, roof panels, and floor panels coming together.

FIGS. 10-13 and 144 depict various views of another embodiment, namely,a beam 103.

FIGS. 14 and 59-62 depict a further embodiment, a linear two-way beamnode 502.

FIGS. 15-17 and 63-66 depict a further embodiment, namely, a 90-degreetwo-way beam node 509.

FIGS. 18-19 and 67-71 depict various views of a further embodiment,namely, a three-way beam node 503.

FIGS. 20-26 and 72-78 depict several views of a further embodiment,floor panel 208.

FIGS. 27-31 and 79-81 depict several views of a further embodiment, wallpanel 307.

FIGS. 32-36 and 82-84 depict several views of a further embodiment, wallpanel 621 comprising window opening 629.

FIGS. 37-38 and 85-89 depict several views of another embodiment, wallpanel 670 comprising utility access ports.

FIGS. 39-40 depict a perspective view of an additional embodiment,corner wall panel 612 in opaque (FIG. 39) and wireframe (FIG. 40)formats, and further views of corner wall panel 612 appear in FIGS.90-95.

FIGS. 41-43 and 96-100 depict several views of one embodiment, wallpanel 305 comprising ceiling beam registration element 385.

FIGS. 44 and 110-116 depict several views of another embodiment, gablewall panel 641.

FIGS. 45-48 depict several views of an additional embodiment, roof panel404.

FIGS. 49-52 depict several views of a further embodiment, fascia 471.

FIGS. 53-54 and 117-121 depict several views of a further embodiment,roof panel 412.

FIG. 55 depicts another embodiment relating to roof beams, ceiling beam,and roof posts in a perspective, exploded view.

FIG. 56 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 55 as assembled.

FIG. 57 depicts a perspective view from above of another embodiment,namely, a plurality of beams (such as 101, 102,) connected by beam nodes(such as 502) attached to helical piles (such as 1017, 1024).

FIG. 58 depicts a perspective view from below of a portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 57. In addition, floor panels (such as 201,209, 210) have been added.

FIGS. 101-107 depict several views of an additional embodiment, beampocket adapter 480.

FIGS. 108-109 depict perspective views showing how beam pocket adapter480 fits into ceiling beam registration element 385 of wall panel 305.

FIGS. 122-126 depict several views of a further embodiment, roof beam461.

FIGS. 127-131 depict several views of a further embodiment, centralceiling post 756.

FIGS. 132-136 depict several views of a further embodiment, side ceilingpost 757.

FIGS. 137-143 depict several views of another embodiment, ridge roofpanel 405.

FIGS. 145-150 depict several views of further embodiments, gable wallpanel 651 a engaging gable coupling boxes 662 a, 662 b, 662 c.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousforms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features maybe exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the present invention.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this disclosure belongs. In the event that there isa plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this sectionprevail unless stated otherwise.

Where ever the phrase “for example,” “such as,” “including” and the likeare used herein, the phrase “and without limitation” is understood tofollow unless explicitly stated otherwise. Similarly “an example,”“exemplary” and the like are understood to be non-limiting.

The term “substantially” allows for deviations from the descriptor thatdon't negatively impact the intended purpose. Descriptive terms areunderstood to be modified by the term “substantially” even if the word“substantially” is not explicitly recited.

The term “about” when used in connection with a numerical value refersto the actual given value, and to the approximation to such given valuethat would reasonably be inferred by one of ordinary skill in the art,including approximations due to the experimental and or measurementconditions for such given value.

The terms “comprising” and “including” and “having” and “involving” (andsimilarly “comprises”, “includes,” “has,” and “involves”) and the likeare used interchangeably and have the same meaning. Specifically, eachof the terms is defined consistent with the common United States patentlaw definition of “comprising” and is therefore interpreted to be anopen term meaning “at least the following,” and is also interpreted notto exclude additional features, limitations, aspects, etc. Thus, forexample, “a device having components a, b, and c” means that the deviceincludes at least components a, b and c. Similarly, the phrase: “amethod involving steps a, b, and c” means that the method includes atleast steps a, b, and c.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to”.

Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely knownor forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate atleast one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a usefulalternative.

The various components of the present invention can comprise anysuitable materials. Wood, wood products such as plywood and otherengineered wood products such as oriented strand board, plastic, metal,cement, and composite materials such as combinations of any of theforegoing can be suitable in one or more instances. For example,oriented strand board such as those comprising alternating layers ofwood particles oriented in alternating perpendicular planes and heldtogether with a suitable amount of polymer or adhesive, can be used insome embodiments. In addition, certain instances of the presentinvention employ one or more types of insulation. Any suitableinsulation can be used. For example, in some cases the insulation ischosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers, pellets, andcombinations thereof. The insulation can be in any suitable form aswell, such as, for example, nonwoven fibers, woven fibers, rolls orbatts of fiber insulation such as familiar fiber glass insulation,injectable foams, pellets, nuggets, and the like can be used. Individualpieces such as pellets or nuggets can be bound or free, or a combinationthereof. Binding pellets of insulation together can be accomplished byany suitable methods. Thermal treatments, adhesives, and combinationsthereof may be mentioned. Water-impermeable materials also appear infurther embodiments of the present invention. Any suitablewater-impermeable material can be used. In some cases, a thin film ofpolymer such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride can be glued to asurface. In other cases, a polymer is sprayed, painted on, polymerized,or otherwise applied to or formed on a surface to impart waterimpermeability to that surface.

The various components of the present invention can be manufacturedaccording to any suitable method. For example, the various parts of agiven component can be cut or formed into their desired shape accordingto any suitable method. For wood-containing parts, saws, lasers, drills,routers, sanders, and the like can be directed by hand, by computer, orby a combination thereof. Plastic or metal parts can be extruded, cut,molded, milled, or otherwise shaped as desired. In addition, the variousparts can be connected to each other according to any suitable means.For example, a piece of oriented strand board can be connected toanother piece of oriented strand board with screws, nails, adhesive, ora combination thereof. In some cases, the various parts are engineeredto fit together like the pieces of a puzzle. Any suitable technique ofwood joinery can be used. Structures such as finger joints, dovetailjoints, tongue and groove joints, tongue and fork joints, dowel joints,miter joints of any suitable angle, and the like can be employed.

The various components of the present invention can have any suitabledimensions. For example, in some cases, a wall panel is about 2′ wide byabout 6″ thick by about 8′ tall. Without wishing to be bound by theory,it is believed that certain embodiments of the present invention exhibitimproved structural integrity over modular components reported before,because of the smaller size of some of the embodiments of the presentinvention. Before, the apparent goal was to minimize installation effortby making structural insulated panels as large as possible. Those largepanels were unwieldy to install, and structural support was sacrificedto reduce weight in some instances. Certain embodiments of the presentinvention provide handy installation by using smaller-dimensionedcomponents, yet structural integrity is not sacrificed, but ratherenhanced, by the dimensions of those certain embodiments. Thus, somecases provide a beam no longer than about 5 feet, no longer than about 6feet, no longer than about 7 feet, no longer than about 8 feet, longerthan about 9 feet, no longer than about 10 feet, no longer than about 15feet, or no longer than about 20 feet. Other cases provide a wall panel,floor panel, or roof panel no wider than about 1 foot, no wider thanabout 2 feet, no wider than about 3 feet, no wider than about 4 feet, nowider than about 5 feet, or no wider than about 10 feet.

Various embodiments of the present invention can be used in combinationwith other embodiments of the present invention. For example, floorbeams and beam nodes such as those described herein can be used withfloor panels such as those described herein. Or, certain embodiments ofthe present invention can be used with suitable non-inventive materialsand construction techniques. For example, inventive floor beams and beamnodes can be deployed to create a foundation, and then conventionalflooring techniques and materials can be applied. In another example,inventive wall panels and ceiling panels can be combined withconventional roof infrastructure such as the ceiling beams (451, 452)seen in FIG. 1.

Once the various components are manufactured or installed, any suitablefinishing material or materials can be added. For example, once one ormore wall panels have been installed, drywall and trim can be added tothe interior side of the wall panels, while brick, vinyl, aluminum,wood-cement composite such as HardiPlank™, and combinations thereof canbe added to the exterior side of the wall panels. Any suitable utilitiescan be added, such as plumbing for hot and cold water and wastewater andsewage removal; electrical power cables for illumination, fixtures suchas fans and appliances, and electrical outlets; gas lines for heatingand cooking, and duct work for air handling as well as heating andcooling appliances. Windows, doors, garage doors, fireplaces, steps,stairs, closets, pantries, attic access doors, and the like can be addedand finished as needed. Cabinets, counters, sinks, bathtubs, showerstalls, toilets, and the like can be added in any suitable fashion, suchas, for example according to known techniques. One advantage of someembodiments of the present invention is that they are made from wood orengineered wood products: that allows the facile attachment of finishingmaterials such as drywall, conventional flooring such as, for examplehardwood, engineered hardwood, and polymer flooring, according toconventional techniques.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further embodiments of the present invention can be described byreference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily toscale. In addition, not every element is labeled, so the figures can beviewed easily. Elements in different figures having the same label areintended to be the same element in each such figure. FIG. 1 shows, inone embodiment of the invention, the partial construction of house 10.Beams, such as beam 101, beam 102 connected to each other by a beam node502, and beam 106 connected to beam 107 by beam node 507, rest on asubfoundation (not shown) to form a foundation. Any suitablesubfoundation can be employed, such as, for example cinderblocks, pouredcement, slab, crawlspace, a grid of helical piles such as depicted inFIG. 57, or a combination thereof. Floor panels, such as floor panel208, are supported by and attached to beams such as beam 101 and beam105. The beam 107 supports wall panel 621 having a window openingtherein, wall panel 301, and corner wall panel 611. Shear blocks 41 band 41 c are positioned between wall panel 301 and corner wall panel611. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that shearblocks such as shear blocks 41 b and 41 c impart superior structuralintegrity to house 10. Floor panel 202, and unseen beam 103 beneathfloor panel 202 (see FIG. 2), supports wall panel 302. Floor panel 202partially supports wall panel 622 having a window opening therein. Floorpanel 202 partially supports wall panel 631 having a door openingtherein. The wall panel 631 having a door opening therein partiallysupports ceiling beam 451, which in turn supports ceiling posts 455,456, and roof beam 462. Those components in turn support numerous roofpanels. Wall panel 621 partially supports ceiling beam 452 and roof beam461. Roof beam 461 partially supports roof panels 401, 402, and ridgeroof panels 405, 406. Roof panels 401, 402 engage, connect to, andsupport each other via shear-stabilizing coupling elements 45 a, 45 b.Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed thatshear-stabilizing coupling elements such as shear-stabilizing couplingelements 45 a and 45 b impart superior structural integrity to house 10.Also visible is fascia 471, which connects and supports roof panels 401,402. Gable wall panel 641 is visible proximal to fascia 471 and roofpanel 411. As mentioned before, the various components can beconstructed, on the one hand, and connected together, on the other hand,through any suitable means. In addition to the coupling provided byshear-stabilizing coupling elements (for example, 45 a, 45 b) and shearblocks (for example, 41 b, 41 c), nails, screws, bolts, adhesive, woodjoinery techniques, and combinations thereof can be employed.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view, partially exploded, of several beamsaccording to an embodiment of the invention, position to engage severalbeam nodes. Beam node 505 is positioned to align and engage beam 105 tobeam 104. Beam node 504 is positioned to engage beam 104 to beam 103 ata 90° angle. Beam node 503 is positioned to engage beam 102 to beam 103at a 90° angle. Beam node 502 is positioned to align and engage beam 102with beam 101. Beam node 501 is positioned to align and engage beam 101with another beam (not shown). One end of beam 101 comprises a beam nodecoupling element 121, position to engage beam coupling element 571 ofbeam node 502. Similarly, one end of beam 102 comprises a beam nodecoupling element 123, position to engage beam coupling element 572 ofbeam node 502. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of thebeams to engage the beam nodes.

FIG. 3 shows in detail how beam 102 and beam 103 engage beam node 503.Beam 102 comprises a beam coupling element that comprises tongue 132 aand groove 142 a, that slidingly engage beam coupling element 573 ofbeam node 503. Once engaged, a screw or bolt (not shown) can secure hole543 a to hole 192 a. Beam 103 comprises a beam coupling element thatcomprises tongue 133 b and groove 143 b, that slidingly engage beamcoupling element 574 of beam node 503.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show perspective views from outside (FIG. 4) and inside(FIG. 5) house 10. Wall panel 302 having first main surface 312 iscoupled to beam 103. Wall panel 302 further comprises side memberextension 352 a that is adapted to transfer load to ledger 115 of beam103. Wall panel 302 also has a shear block receiving port 392 apositioned at a first edge of the first main surface 312, and anothershear block receiving port 392 e positioned at a second edge of thefirst main surface 312. Wall panel 303 comprises a first main surface313 that has a shear block receiving port 393 a positioned at a firstedge of its first main surface 313, and another shear block receivingport 393 d positioned at a second edge of its first main surface 313.When wall panel 303 is placed in its final position alongside panel 302,shear block receiving port 393 d will form with shear block receivingport 392 a to form a shear block receiving slot of dimensions adequateto receive a shear block (not shown). Wall panel 302 also comprisessecond main surface 322, roof registration tab 346, second side member351, and floor attachment element 362. Nails, bolts, screws, adhesive,and combinations thereof can be used to secure floor attachment element362 to the upper surface of floor panel 202. Wall panel 303 furthercomprises first side member 333 proximal to the first edge of the firstmain surface 313, and a second main surface 323 facing the interior ofhouse 10. The first side member 333 comprises roof registration tab 344,side member extension 353 a, and floor registration tab 343. Side memberextension 353 a will pass through registration slot 152 b on the upperhorizontal support member of beam 103 to transfer load to ledger 115.Similarly, side member extension 352 a has passed through registrationslot 155 b on the upper horizontal support member of beam 103 totransfer load to ledger 115. Beam 103 coupled to beam node 503 alsosupport floor panel 202, which can be attached to beam 103 and beam node503 in any suitable manner. Floor panel 202 also comprisesshear-stabilizing coupling element 211, adapted to engage another floorpanel (not shown). As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, registrationelements can be any suitable registration element, such as registrationtabs (for example, registration tab 343), registration slots (forexample, registration slots 152 b, 155 b, and 252), and side memberextensions (for example, side member extensions 352 a, 353 a).Registration slot 155 b is adapted to receive both the side memberextension 352 a of wall panel 302 and the side member extension 353 b ofwall panel 303. In so doing, wall panel 302 and wall panel 303 are heldtogether in support of each other. Without wishing to be bound bytheory, it is believed that allowing one registration slot to receive 2registration tabs from adjoining panels contribute to the improvedstructural integrity observed in some embodiments of the presentinvention. Floor panel 202 comprises registration slots such as slot 252in sufficient number to receive the corresponding registration elementsof up to four wall panels, two wall panels on either side of wall panels302, 303.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show how wall panels 305, 306, and 307, together withcorner wall panel 612 fit together with floor panels 203 and 204 androof panel 412. The arrow in FIG. 6 shows how roof panel 412 would fitonto wall panels 305, 306, 307, and corner wall panel 612. Roof panel412 has wall engagement member 415 that comprises a plurality of wallregistration elements such as wall registration tabs 421 and 422,adapted to engage an upper edge of those wall panels. Shear-stabilizingcoupling element 432 c appears on roof panel 412, adapted to engage anadjacent roof panel (not shown). Roof registration tabs such as roofregistration tabs 347, 348 on wall panel 305, and roof registration tab349 on corner wall panel 612, are adapted to engage with wall engagementmember 415. Wall panel 305 comprises a ceiling beam registration element385, that can engage a ceiling beam (not shown). Ceiling beamregistration element 385 forms part of the first side member 335 of wallpanel 305, which also has second main surface 325 facing the interior ofa building. Floor attachment element 365 help secure to floor panel 203and ultimately to beam 108 coupled to beam node 508. Floor panel 203 iscoupled to floor panel 204 via shear-stabilizing coupling elements 213a, 213 b. Floor panel 204 comprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements214 a, 214 c, adapted to couple to an adjacent floor panel (not shown).The upper surface of the floor panel 204 comprises wall registrationslot 254, adapted to receive a floor registration tab (not shown) of awall panel (also not shown) adjacent to corner wall panel 612. Floorattachment element 364 b helps secure corner wall panel 612 to floorpanel 203. Edge member 336 of wall panel 612 can be seen, as can shearblock receiving port 394 c of corner wall panel 612.

The arrow in FIG. 7 shows how wall panel 307 would slidingly engage wallregistration slot 253 of the upper surface of floor panel 203 andregistration slot 158 of the upper horizontal support member of beam108. Registration tab 345 a near the bottom of first side member 337 aof wall panel 307 would pass through wall registration slot 253 andregistration slot 158. Wall registration slot 255 also appears on theupper surface of floor panel 203. The beam 108 comprises a verticalsupport member 161 to which is affixed ledger 116. Wall panel 306 has aside member extension 356 that transfers load to ledger 116. The shearblock receiving ports of the several wall panels aligned in finalposition to form shear block receiving slots. For example, wall panels305 and 306 comprise shear block receiving ports that form shear blockreceiving slots 393 a, 393 b, 393 c. Shear block receiving port 393 a isadapted to receive shear block 22 a; shear block receiving port 393 b isadapted to receive shear block 22 b; and shear block receiving port 393c is adapted to receive shear block 22 c.

Shear blocks such as shear block 22 a can be made out of any suitablematerial, such as wood, engineered wood products, metal, stone, plastic,and composite materials such as wood-cement composites. Moreover, shearblocks such as shear block 22 a can be placed in shear block receivingslots such as shear block receiving slot 393 a through any suitablemeans. For example, a shear block comprising a 3″×3″×1½″ block of woodor oriented strand board can be placed in a shear block receiving slotmanually, and optionally with the assistance of a mallet or hammer.Friction may suffice to hold a shear block in a shear block receivingslot. Or, some instances allow for the use of adhesive, wood putty, orone or more nails or screws, or combinations thereof, to ensure theshear block remains within the shear block receiving slot. Withoutwishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the shear blocks suchas shear blocks 22 a, 22 b, 22 c impart superior structural integrity towalls such as the wall comprising wall panels 305, 306.

FIG. 8 shows how, in a further embodiment, wall panels 308, 309, 310 fittogether with floor panels 201, 205, 206 and gable wall panels 651 a,651 b. The arrow illustrates the direction in which gable wall panels651 a, 651 b would move to engage and attach to wall panels 308, 309,310. Similar to previously-described embodiments, wall panel 308 has afirst side member 338 comprising a registration tab 342 that would passthrough registration slot 256 on the upper surface of the floor panel201 to engage a registration element of a beam (not shown). Shear blockreceiving ports on wall panels 308, 309, and 310 align to form shearblock receiving slots 394 b, 395 b, which are adapted to receive shearblocks (not shown). Floor panel 201 is connected to floor panel 205 viashear-stabilizing coupling elements 212 a, 212 b. Gable coupling boxes661 a, 661 b, and 651 c engage and couple to the upper edges of wallpanels 308, 309, and 310, respectively. Gable wall panel 651 a can thenslidingly engage gable coupling boxes 661, 661, 661, which areoptionally secured to gable wall panel 651 a and wall panels 308, 309,310 with any suitable means such as screws, nails, bolts, adhesive, andcombinations thereof. Gable coupling boxes 662 a, 662 b, 662 c in turnengage and couple to the upper edge of gable box 651 a, whereupon gablewall panel 651 b can slidably engage. Again attachment is optionallyprovided by any suitable means. Gable wall panel 651 b has registrationtabs 655 a, 655 b, adapted to engage corresponding registration slots oneither a further gable wall panel (not shown) or a wall engagementmember of a roof panel (not shown).

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment corresponding to that shown in FIGS. 6 and7, except that wall panel 305 in FIGS. 6 and 7 is replaced by wall panel622. As such, the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 depicts a portion of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1. Wall panels 306, 307, corner wall panel 612,floor panels 203, 204, roof panel 412, and beam node 508 appear as inFIGS. 6 and 7. Floor panel 204 is coupled to floor panel 207 viashear-stabilizing coupling element 214 a; shear-stabilizing couplingelement 215 b emerges from an edge of the floor panel 207 ready toengage an adjacent floor panel (not shown).

Wall panel 622 comprises window opening 628 adapted to receive anysuitable window frame. The window frame can be custom-built, orpre-fabricated, or a combination thereof. The window frame can be anysuitable size, and additional material can be added to secure the windowframe in window opening 628. Floor attachment element 363 help securewall panel 622 to the upper surface 222 of the floor panel 203, via anysuitable attachment means. Wall panel 622 comprises edge member 339 thatfurther comprises registration tab 341 and side member extension 351adapted to transfer load to a ledger of a beam (not shown). Wall panel622 also comprises a ceiling beam registration slot 386, which in FIG. 1receives and supports ceiling beam 452. The corner wall panel 612adjoins wall panel 313, which in turn adjoins wall panel 314. Wallpanels 313, 314 engage and rest upon floor panels 204, 207,respectively, and together with corner wall panel 612, couple to andsupport gable wall panel 642.

The vertical arrow in FIG. 9 shows the relative movement of roof panels403, 412, and 404 to engage wall panels 622, 306, 307, corner wall panel612, and gable wall panel 642. Roof panel 412 connects to the upper edgeof those wall panels via wall engagement member 415, as explained above.Roof panel 403 engages roof panel 412 via shear-stabilizing couplingelement 432 a, among others, while roof panel 412 engages roof panel 404via shear-stabilizing coupling element 433 a among others. Roof panel404 further comprises shear-stabilizing coupling element 434 a and wallregistration element 423, which is adapted to engage the top edge ofgable wall panel 642. The diagonal arrow in FIG. 9 shows the relevantmovement of fascia 472 to engage and connect to roof panels 403, 412,and 404.

A. Beams and Beam Nodes

As stated above, some embodiments of the present invention relate tobeams useful in modular construction comprising: one or more verticalsupport members supporting and separating an upper horizontal supportmember and a lower horizontal support member; and at least one ledgeradapted to support a vertical load. As can be appreciated, “upper,”“lower,” “horizontal,” and “vertical” as used throughout thisapplication are purely relative terms to aid the understanding of theinvention, and are not to be construed strictly. In some instances, abeam can be rotated along its main axis by 90°, and its “vertical”support members are now horizontal.

FIGS. 10-13 and 144 relate to a beam 103 useful in modular construction.FIG. 10 provides a perspective view; FIG. 11 provides a right sideelevation view; FIG. 12 provides an end-on elevation view; FIG. 13provides a top-down plan view. The right side elevation view in FIG. 11is identical to the left side elevation view; the end on view of FIG. 12is identical to the view from the other end. FIG. 144 shows a bottom-upplan view of beam 103. Those figures depict a beam 103 useful in modularconstruction comprising:

a first vertical support member 162 and a second vertical support member163 that together support and separate an upper horizontal supportmember 173 and a lower horizontal support member 174. A first ledger 115adapted to support a vertical load is affixed to a vertical face of thefirst vertical support member 162. A second ledger 117 adapted tosupport a vertical load is affixed to a vertical face of the secondvertical support member 163. The beam 103 has a first end 181 and asecond end 182. First end 181 comprises a beam node coupling elementthat comprises tongue 134 b and groove 144 b. Groove 144 b furthercomprises holes 193 a, 193 b that are adapted to each receive a screw,bolt, nail, rivet, or other suitable fastener to secure the first end181 to the corresponding structure of a beam coupling element on a beamnode (not shown). Second end 182 comprises a beam node coupling elementthat comprises tongue 133 b and groove 143 b. Groove 143 b furthercomprises holes 194 a, 194 b that are adapted to each receive a screw,bolt, nail, rivet, or other suitable fastener to secure the second end182 to the corresponding structure of a beam coupling element on a beamnode (not shown—see FIG. 3). Registration elements that are registrationslots 152 a, 152 b, 155 a, 155 b, 159 a have been cut into uppervertical support member 173, and are adapted to receive registrationtabs and side member extensions of up to four wall panels (notshown—see, for example, FIG. 7). Beam 103 is suitable for use in anyuseful orientation, such as, horizontal, vertical, or at a diagonal,such as to support a roof. Accordingly, registration slots 152 a, 152 b,155 a, 155 b, 159 a are adapted to receive at least one correspondingregistration element of a floor panel, wall panel, ceiling panel, or acombination thereof. Beam 103 can be made of any suitable material. Insome cases, beam 103 comprises an engineered wood product. In furthercases, the engineered wood product comprises oriented strand board. Beam103, in still further cases, can comprise insulation. For example,before or after installation, beam 103 can receive insulation in anysuitable form adhered to one or more surfaces of the beam 103 by anysuitable means, such as, for example, adhesive, staples, tacks, nails,and combinations thereof. In some instances, the insulation comprises aspray-on foam insulation. Any suitable number of registration elementscan appear on beam 103. Further instances provide registration elementsin sufficient number to receive the corresponding registration elementsof at least two wall panels, of at least three wall panels, or of atleast four wall panels.

FIGS. 14-19 and 59-66 depict several embodiments of beam nodes invarious views. FIG. 14 provides a perspective view of linear two-waybeam node 502. FIG. 59 provides a bottom-up plan view from the directionof arrow D in FIG. 14, while FIG. 60 illustrates a right-side elevationview from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 14. The right-side elevationview is identical to the left-side elevation view. FIG. 61 provides afront elevation view from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 14. The backelevation view is identical to the front elevation view. FIG. 62provides a top-down plan view of beam node 502 from the direction ofarrow A in FIG. 14. FIG. 15 provides a perspective view of a 90-degreetwo-way beam node 509. FIG. 16 provides a right side elevation view ofbeam node 509 as seen from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 15. FIG. 17provides a top-down plan view of beam node 509 as seen from thedirection of arrow A in FIG. 15. FIG. 63 provides a left side elevationview of beam node 509 as seen from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 15.FIG. 64 provides a back elevation view from the direction of arrow E inFIG. 15. FIG. 65 provides a front elevation view from the direction ofarrow B in FIG. 15. FIG. 66 provides a bottom-up plan view of beam node509 from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 provides aperspective view of a three-way beam node 503, while FIG. 19 shows atop-down plan view of beam node 503, as seen from the direction of arrowA in FIG. 18. FIG. 67 shows a right side elevation view of beam node 503from the direction of arrow E in FIG. 18, while FIG. 68 shows a leftside elevation view from the direction of arrow B. FIG. 69 shows a frontelevation view from the direction of arrow C, while FIG. 70 shows a backelevation view from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 18. FIG. 71 shows abottom-up plan view from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 18.

In FIGS. 14 and 59-62, beam node 502 has a lower horizontal supportmember 512 that supports first vertical support member 515 a and secondvertical support member 515 b. Vertical support members 515 a, 515 bdefine a first beam coupling element 571 and a second beam couplingelement 572. The second beam coupling element comprises tongues 522 a,522 b, that are adapted to fit into a corresponding groove of a beamnode coupling element of a beam (not shown). As can be appreciated fromFIG. 14, first beam coupling element 571 is adapted to couple a firstbeam (not shown) in line with a second beam (also not shown) coupled tothe second beam coupling element 572. First beam coupling element 571also includes holes 542 a, 542 b that allow a bolt or other suitableconnector to secure beam node 502 to a beam (not shown). Beam node 502further comprises two substantially parallel vertical supports 555 a,555 b separated by a spacer element 563, thereby defining tworegistration elements that are two registration element receivers 532 a,532 b between the two substantially parallel vertical supports 555 a,555 b. The registration element receivers 532 a, 532 b are adapted toreceive the corresponding registration tabs and side member extensionsof one or two wall panels (not shown). So, for example, looking at FIG.1, wall panel 621 and its beam node registration tab and side memberextension (not clearly seen in FIG. 1) would share registration elementreceivers of beam node 507 with an adjacent wall panel (not shown inFIG. 1). By sharing registration element receivers, wall panels arestably connected and supported, in some embodiments of the presentinvention. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed thatthe connection and support provided when two registration tabs share thesame registration slot contribute to the improved structural integrityexhibited by some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 15-17 and 63-66 show beam node 509 wherein first beam couplingelement 575 is adapted to couple a first beam (not shown) perpendicularto a second beam (not shown) coupled to the second beam coupling element576. Lower horizontal support member 513 supports first vertical supportmember 516 a, second vertical support member 516 b, third verticalsupport member 517 a and fourth vertical support member 517 b. firstbeam coupling element 575 comprises tongue 523 b that is adapted toslidingly engage a corresponding groove of a beam node coupling elementof a beam (not shown). Second beam coupling element 576 comprises tongue524 b that is adapted to slidingly engage a corresponding groove of abeam node coupling element of a beam (not shown). First beam couplingelement 575 further comprises holes 549 a, 549 b each adapted to receivea bolt or other connector to secure corresponding holes on a beam nodecoupling element of a beam (not shown). Second beam coupling element 576further comprises holes 549 c, 549 d each adapted to receive a bolt orother connector to secure corresponding holes on a beam node couplingelement of a beam (not shown). The beam node 509 further comprises twosubstantially parallel vertical supports 556 a, 556 b separated by aspacer element 564, thereby defining two registration element receivers533 a, 533 b between vertical supports 556 a, 556 b. Registrationelement receivers 533 a, 533 b are adapted to receive the correspondingregistration elements of a corner wall panel.

FIGS. 18, 19, and 67-71 show beam node 503 comprising a first beamcoupling element 574, a second beam coupling element 577, and a thirdbeam coupling element 573. First beam coupling element 574 is adapted tocouple a first beam (not shown) in line with a second beam (not shown)coupled to the second beam coupling element 577. Third beam couplingelement 573 is adapted to couple a third beam (not shown) perpendicularto the first beam and second beam. Lower horizontal support member 514supports vertical support members 518 a, 518 b, vertical support members519 a, 519 b, and vertical support members 520 a, 520 b. First beamcoupling element 574 comprises tongue 525 b that is adapted to slidinglyengage a corresponding groove on a beam node coupling element of a firstbeam (not shown). Second beam coupling element 577 comprises tongue 527b that is adapted to slidingly engage a corresponding groove on a beamnode coupling element of a second beam (not shown). Third beam couplingelement 573 comprises tongue 526 a that is adapted to slidingly engage acorresponding groove on a beam node coupling element of a third beam(not shown). Third beam coupling element 573 further comprises holes 543a, 543 b that are adapted to receive a bolt or other suitable connectorto secure holes on a corresponding beam node coupling element on thethird beam. A registration element comprising two substantially parallelvertical supports 557 a, 557 b separated by a spacer element 565 todefine two registration element receivers 534 a, 534 b between the twovertical supports 557 a, 557 b.

B. Floor Panels

FIGS. 20-26 depict one embodiment of the floor panel 208 in severalviews. FIGS. 20-22 depict floor panel 208 in a perspective view. FIG. 20provides opaque surfaces. FIG. 21 shows a wireframe view of anembodiment comprising anchors 224 a-224 f, while FIG. 22 shows awireframe view of an alternative embodiment comprising ribs 224 g-224 i.FIG. 23 shows an end-on elevation view from the direction of arrow D inFIG. 20. The end-on elevation view from the other end is a mirror imageof FIG. 23. FIG. 24 is a left side elevation view from the direction ofarrow B of FIG. 20. FIG. 25 is a bottom-up plan view from the directionof arrow C in FIG. 20. FIG. 26 is a top-down plan view from thedirection of arrow A in FIG. 20.

FIGS. 20 and 22-26 depict floor panel 208 comprising ribs 224 g, 224 h,and 224 i supporting and separating an upper surface 228 from the lowersurface 229. Rib 224 g comprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements 218a, 218 d that are adapted to engage the ribs or anchors of adjacentfloor panels. Shear-stabilizing coupling elements 218 a and 218 d emergefrom a first edge and a second edge on opposite sides of floor panel208. Similarly, rib 224 h comprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements218 b and 218 e. Rib 224 i comprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements218 c and 218 f. Through coupling port 268 d, rib 224 g is adapted toreceive and engage a shear-stabilizing coupling element from anotherfloor panel (not shown). Similarly, through coupling port 268 e, rib 224h is adapted to receive and engage a shear-stabilizing coupling elementfrom another floor panel (not shown). And, through coupling ports 268 cand 268 f, rib 224 i is adapted to receive and engage shear-stabilizingcoupling elements from other floor panels (not shown).

Alternatively, FIGS. 20-21 and 23-26 depict floor panel 208 comprisinganchors 224 b, 224 c, and 224 f supporting and separating an uppersurface 228 from lower surface 229. Anchor 224 b comprisesshear-stabilizing coupling element 218 b. Anchor 224 c comprisesshear-stabilizing coupling element 218 c. Anchor 224 f comprisesshear-stabilizing coupling element 218 f. Through coupling port 268 b,anchor 224 b is adapted to receive and engage a shear-stabilizingcoupling element from another floor panel (not shown). Similarly,through coupling port 268 f, anchor 224 f is adapted to receive andengage a shear-stabilizing coupling element from another floor panel(not shown).

In another alternative, FIGS. 72-78 show another embodiment of floorpanel 208, in which lower surface 229 is a little shorter, allowing fortighter engagement with floor beams (not shown). FIG. 72 shows floorpanel 208 in perspective view. FIG. 73 shows an end-on elevation viewfrom the direction of arrow F in FIG. 72. FIG. 74 shows an end-onelevation view from the direction of arrow D in FIG. 72. FIG. 75 is aleft side elevation view from the direction of arrow B of FIG. 72. FIG.76 is a right side elevation view from the direction of arrow E of FIG.72. FIG. 77 is a top-down plan view from the direction of arrow A inFIG. 72. FIG. 78 is a bottom-up plan view from the direction of arrow Cin FIG. 72.

In FIGS. 20-26 and 72-28, floor panel 208 comprises a plurality of edgemembers 238 a, 238 b, 248 a, and 248 b that partially enclose and definean interior volume with the upper surface 228 and the lower surface 229.Upper surface 228 is adapted to serve as a floor surface or floorsubsurface. Optionally, the floor panel 208 comprises insulation,affixed to any surface, within the interior volume, or a combinationthereof. Any suitable insulation can be used. In some cases, theinsulation is of a type that is suitable to be blown or injected throughinsulation injection ports 298 a, 298 b that are found in edge members248 a, 248 b, respectively. Shear-stabilizing coupling element 218 a isproximal to upper surface 228, while shear-stabilizing coupling element218 d is proximal to the lower surface 229. Edge member 238 a furthercomprises beam registration slots 278 a and 278 b, which are adapted toslidingly engage an upper horizontal support member of a beam (notshown). Similarly, edge member 238 b further comprises beam registrationslots 279 a and 279 b, which are adapted to slidingly engage an upperhorizontal support member of a beam (not shown). Once the registrationslots 278 a, 278 b, 279 a, and 279 b engage the upper horizontal supportmember of the beam, upper surface 228 can be nailed, screwed, orotherwise attached to the upper horizontal support member. Optionally,one or both of upper surface 228 and lower surface 229 comprises awater-impermeable material. The floor panel 208 can comprise anysuitable material, such as, for example, oriented strand board, amongother materials.

C. Wall Panels

FIGS. 27-31 and 79-81 provide different views of wall panel 307 usefulin modular construction. FIG. 27 is a perspective view from the insideof a building such as house 10 and shows wall panel 307 with opaquesurfaces; FIG. 28 is a perspective view from the exterior and shows wallpanel 307 in wireframe format. FIG. 29 provides a front elevation viewfrom the exterior. FIG. 30 provides a back elevation view from theinterior. FIG. 31 provides a top-down plan view. FIG. 79 provides a leftside elevation view, and FIG. 80 provides a right side elevation view ofwall panel 307. FIG. 81 provides a bottom-up plan view.

Wall panel 307 has a first main surface 317; a second main surface 327;a plurality of edge members 331 a, 331 b, 337 a, 337 b that support andseparate the first main surface 317 from the second main surface 327,and at least partially enclose and define an interior volume with thefirst main surface 317 and the second main surface 327; shear blockreceiving ports 397 a, 397 b, 397 c positioned at a first edge of thefirst main surface 317; shear block receiving ports 397 d, 397 e, 397 fpositioned at a second edge of the first main surface 317; wherein thefirst edge and the second edge are positioned on opposing sides of thefirst main surface 317. Wall panel 307 further comprises floorattachment element 367 between first side member 337 a and second sidemember 337 b below the lower edge defined by first main surface 317 andsecond main surface 327. First side member 337 a and second side member337 b support and separate the upper edge member 331 a from lower edgemember 331 b. First side member 337 a further comprises roofregistration tabs 340 a, 340 b, insulation injection port 398 a,registration tab 345 a, utility conduit port 387 a, and side memberextension 352 a. Second side member 337 b further comprises roofregistration tabs 340 c, 340 d, insulation injection port 398 b,registration tab 345 b, utility conduit port 387 b, and side memberextension 352 a. Optionally, wall panel 307 comprises insulation,affixed to any surface, within the interior volume, or a combinationthereof. Any suitable insulation can be used; in some cases theinsulation is chosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers,pellets, and combinations thereof. In some cases, wall panel 307comprises a water-impermeable material on the first main surface 317,the second main surface 327, or both. Roof registration tabs 340 a, 340b, 340 c, and 340 d are adapted to engage corresponding registrationreceiving slots in roof panels (not shown). Registration tabs 345 a, 345b and side member extensions 352 a, 352 b are adapted to engagecorresponding registration elements such as registration slots of a beam(not shown). Through side member extension 352 a, the first side member337 a is adapted to transfer load to one or more ledgers of a beam (notshown). Through side member extension 352 b, the second side member 337b is adapted to transfer load to one or more ledgers of a beam (notshown). Wall panel 307 can comprise any suitable material, such as, forexample, an engineered wood product such as oriented strand board, amongother materials.

FIGS. 32-36 and 82-84 provide several views of an embodiment of a wallpanel 621 comprising window opening 629. FIGS. 32 and 33 provide aperspective view from the interior of a building comprising wall panel621, with FIG. 32 showing opaque surfaces and FIG. 33 in wireframeformat. FIG. 34 shows a top-down plan view of wall panel 621. FIG. 35provides a back elevation view from the interior, while FIG. 36 providesa front elevation view from the exterior. FIG. 82 provides a left sideelevation view, while FIG. 83 provides a right side elevation view ofwall panel 621. FIG. 84 provides a bottom-up plan view. Wall panel 621comprises a first main surface 624 a and a second main surface 624 bthat are supported and separated by a plurality of edge members, namely,a first side member 625 b proximal to a first edge of the first mainsurface 624 a; a second side member 625 c proximal to a second edge ofthe first main surface 624 a; upper edge member 625 a and a lower edgemember 625 d that are supported in separated by the first side member625 b and the second side member 625 c. First main surface 624 acomprises on its first edge three shear block receiving ports 635 a, 635b, 635 c, and on its opposing side's second edge, three shear blockreceiving ports 635 j, 635 k, 635 m. Wall panel 621 further comprises aplurality of window edge members 623 a, 623 b, 623 c, 623 d that definea window opening 629 in the first main surface and the second mainsurface. The plurality of window edge members comprises an upper windowedge member 623 a, a lower window edge member 623 d, a first side windowmember 623 b proximal to the first edge of the first main surface 624 a,and a second side window member 623 c proximal to the second edge of thefirst main surface 624 a, wherein the first side window member 623 b andthe second side window member 623 c support and separate the upperwindow edge member 623 a from the lower window edge member 623 d. Thewindow edge members 623 a-623 d comprise window frame registrationelements in the form of window frame registration slots 627. Further,the first side window member 623 b comprises registration elements inthe form of registration tab 634 b adapted to engage a registration slotof a beam (not shown) and side window member extension 633 b adapted totransfer load to a ledger of a beam (not shown). And the second sidewindow member 623 c comprises registration elements in the form ofregistration tab 634 c adapted to engage a registration slot of a beam(not shown) and side window member extension 633 c adapted to transferload to a ledger of a beam (not shown). Side member extensions 633 a,633 d, appearing on the first side member 625 b and second side member625 c, respectively, are also adapted to transfer load to a ledger ofthe beam. First side member 625 b further comprises utility conduit port630 a and registration tab 634 a, and second side member 625 c furthercomprises utility conduit port 630 d and registration tab 634 d. Firstside window member 623 b further comprises utility conduit port 630 b,and second side window member 623 c further comprises utility conduitport 628 c. First side window member 623 b and second side window member623 c further support floor attachment element 626. Any suitable,commercially available or custom-made window frame can be affixed towindow opening 629 using the window frame registration slots 627.Alternatively, or in addition, fasteners such as screws, bolts, or nailscan be driven through window edge members 623 a-623 d as desired. Windowframe registration slots 627 can be position to accommodate routine orcustomary sizes of window frames, and to allow relatively easyinstallation thereof.

FIGS. 37 and 38 provide two views of wall panel 670 having utilityaccess ports 676, 677. FIG. 37 provides a perspective view, while FIG.38 provides a back elevation view from the interior of the building.FIGS. 85-89 provide further views: FIG. 85 shows a front elevation viewfrom the exterior. FIG. 86 shows a left-side elevation view, and FIG. 87shows a right-side elevation view. FIG. 88 illustrates a top-down planview, and FIG. 89 provides a bottom-up plan view. Wall panel 670comprises first main surface 671 a and second main surface 671 b, whichare supported in separated by a plurality of edge members 672 a, 672 b,672 c and 672 d. First main surface 671 a comprises a plurality of shearblock receiving ports, of which 673 d and 673 f are labeled. Insulationinjection port 674 b and utility conduit port 678 b appear in secondside member 672 c. Utility conduit port 678 a can be seen in first sidemember 672 b. Floor attachment element 675 is adapted to help securewall panel 672 a floor panel (not shown) upon installation. Side memberextensions 680 a, 680 b are adapted to transfer load to ledger of a beam(not shown). Registration tab 679 b is adapted to engage a correspondingregistration slot of the beam. Electrical wires, data cables, and thelike can be passed through a plurality of wall panels each comprisingutility conduit ports such as appearing in the several wall panelsdisclosed herein. When desired, a wall panel such as wall panel 670comprising a plurality of utility access ports 676, 677 can be includedin a wall. Then the electrical wires or data cables can be conducted upthrough wall panel 670 to a desired utility access port among thoseutility access ports 676, 677, and a conventional light switch, electricwall socket, data cable port, or the like can be installed in thatutility access port. Utility access ports 676 are positioned higher onwall panel 670 to provide an adequate location for a light switch, forexample. Utility access ports 677 are positioned lower on wall panel 670to provide an adequate location for electric wall sockets and data cableports, for example. Of course, any desired arrangement of switches,outlets, and ports can be installed.

FIGS. 39 and 40 provide a perspective view of corner wall panel 612 alsoseen in FIG. 9. FIG. 39 provides a view having opaque surfaces; FIG. 40provide the same view in wireframe format. FIG. 90 shows a left sideelevation view of corner wall panel 612, and FIG. 91 shows a backelevation view. FIG. 92 illustrates a front elevation view, and FIG. 93illustrates a right side elevation view of corner wall panel 612. FIG.94 is a top-down plan view, and FIG. 95 is a bottom-up plan view. Cornerwall panel 612, useful in modular construction, comprises two mainoutside surfaces comprising a first main outside surface 714 a joining asecond main outside surface 714 b defining an outside corner 713; twomain inside surfaces comprising a first main inside surface 712 ajoining a second main inside surface 712 b defining an inside corner715; a plurality of edge members 722 a, 722 b, 723 a, 723 d, 728 a, 728b that support and separate the main outside surfaces from the maininside surfaces; at least one shear block receiving port 720 a, 720 cpositioned at an edge of the first main outside surface 714 a distalfrom the outside corner 713; and at least one shear block receiving port720 j, 720 k positioned at an edge of the second main outside surface714 b distal from the outside corner 713. Edge members 722 a, 723 a, and728 a, together with first corner edge member 723 b, at least partiallyenclose and define a first interior volume between the first mainoutside surface 714 a and the first main inside surface 712 a. Edgemembers 722 b, 723 d, and 728 b, together with second corner edge member723 c, at least partially enclose and define a second interior volumebetween the second main outside surface 714 b and the second main insidesurface 712 b. Any surface of wall panel 612, the first interior volume,and/or the second interior volume can comprise insulation. Insulationinjection ports 716 a, 716 b, 716 c, and 716 d allow insulation to beinjected or blown into the interior volumes as wall panel 612 is beingassembled. Shear block receiving ports 720 e, 720 h are occluded byfirst main surface 714 a and second main outside surface 714 b. Utilityconduit ports 727 a, 727 b, 727 c, and 727 d allow the passage ofelectrical wires, data cables and the like through corner wall panel612. Registration tabs 724 a, 724 b, 724 c and 724 d are adapted toengage corresponding registration slots on two or more beams and/or a90° beam node (not shown). Side member extensions 725 a, 725 b, 725 c,and 725 d, are adapted to transfer load to two or more ledgers on thebeams. Optionally, corner wall panel 612 comprises a water-impermeablematerial on one or both of the first main outside surface 714 a and thesecond main outside surface 714 b.

Corner wall panel 612 comprises a first upper edge member 722 a, a firstlower edge member 728 a, a first edge member 723 a distal from theoutside corner 713, and a first corner edge member 723 b; and adjacentto the second main outside surface 714 b, a second upper edge member 722b, a second lower edge member 728 b, a second edge member 723 d distalfrom the outside corner 713, and a second corner edge member 723 c.

FIGS. 41-43 and 96-100 provide several views of wall panel 305 thatcomprises a ceiling beam registration element 385, as seen in FIGS. 6and 7. FIG. 41 shows a perspective view of wall panel 305 having opaquesurfaces; FIG. 42 provides a same perspective view in wireframe format.FIG. 43 shows a back elevation view from the interior of a building.FIG. 96 shows a front elevation view from the exterior of the building.FIG. 97 shows the right side elevation view, while the left sideelevation view appears in FIG. 98. FIG. 99 illustrates the top-down planview, and FIG. 100 provides the bottom-up plan view. Wall panel 305comprises a first main surface 730 had a second main surface 325 thatare supported and separated by first side member 335, second side member736, upper edge member 733, and lower edge member 744. Shear blockreceiving ports 732 b, 732 c, 732 h appear in the first main surface730. Roof registration tabs 347, 348, 743 are adapted to engage with awall engagement member of a roof panel (not shown). Vertical member 731forms part of ceiling beam registration slot 385, which is adapted toreceive and support a ceiling beam (not shown). The bottom and ofvertical member 731 provides registration tabs 742 a and extension 738 aadapted to transfer load to the ledger of a beam (not shown). Alsoadapted to support the weight of the ceiling beam is vertical supportmember 735. Second side member 736 comprises registration tab 742 b andside member extension 738 b adapted to transfer load to the ledger of abeam (not shown). Utility conduit ports 750 a, 750 b, 750 c allow thepassage of electrical wires, data cables, and the like through wallpanel 305. Shear block receiving port 732 e in vertical support member735 can be occluded by first main surface 730 or employed to receive ashear block, as desired. Floor attachment member 365 assists in securingwall panel 305 to a floor panel (not shown). While vertical member 731transfers load to the ledger of a beam via extension 738 a, load istransferred to the upper horizontal support member of the beam via firstside member 335 and vertical support member 735. In this way, the weightof a ceiling beam can be transferred directly to the foundation.

In some cases, ceiling beam registration slot 385 can be adapted toreceive a beam pocket adapter 480 as shown in FIGS. 101-109. FIG. 101provides a perspective view of beam pocket adapter 480. FIG. 102provides a front elevation view, while FIG. 103 illustrates a rearelevation view. FIG. 104 provides a right side elevation view, and FIG.105 illustrates a left side elevation view of beam pocket adapter 480.FIG. 106 shows the top-down plan view and the bottom-up plan viewappears in FIG. 107.

A beam pocket adapter 480, useful in modular construction can beconfigured to receive and support an end of a ceiling beam. In somecases, the beam pocket adapter comprises a horizontal support member 483supporting a first vertical side support 481 a, a second vertical sidesupport 481 b, and a vertical back support 482 that together define abeam pocket 486 for receiving the end of the ceiling beam (not shown).The beam pocket adapter 480 has a horizontal support 483 that furthercomprises horizontal reinforcement members 484 a, 484 b. In addition,the vertical back support 482 further comprises roof registration tabs485 a, 485 b, adapted to engage corresponding registration elements ofroof panels (not shown).

FIGS. 108-109 depict perspective views showing how beam pocket adapter480 fits into ceiling beam registration element 385 of wall panel 305,and the corresponding ceiling beam registration element of the adjacentwall panel. The arrow in FIG. 108 shows how beam pocket adapter 480slidingly engages and is positioned to receive a ceiling beam (notshown). In some cases, beam pocket adapter 480 can provide a snug fitfor a ceiling beam, and better distribute weight from the ceiling beamand roof panels to structure below.

FIG. 44 provides a perspective view of triangular gable wall panel 641,also seen in FIG. 1. FIGS. 110-116 provide an alternative embodiment ofgable wall panel 641, further comprising roof registration tabs 754 andwall registration tabs 775. FIG. 111 illustrates a left side elevationview from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 110. FIG. 112 illustrates aright side elevation view from the direction of arrow C in FIG. 110.FIG. 113 provides a front elevation view from the direction of arrow E,while FIG. 114 provides a back elevation view from the direction ofarrow B. FIG. 115 illustrates a top-down plan view from the direction ofarrow A, and FIG. 116 provides a bottom-up plan view from the directionof arrow D in FIG. 110. Gable wall panel 641 comprises a first mainsurface 750 b and a second main surface 750 a, which are supported andseparated by a plurality of edge members such as edge member 751 a. Edgemember 751 a comprises a plurality of registration receiving slots suchas 752 a, 752 b, 752 c, which are adapted to receive the correspondingregistration tabs of a plurality of roof panels (not shown). In FIG.111, edge member 751 b further comprises roof registration tabs 754 andwall registration tab 775, which tabs 754, 775 are adapted to engagecorresponding registration slots in roof panels (not shown) and wallpanels (not shown), respectively. Edge member 751 c shown in FIG. 116further comprises registration receiving slot 752 d adapted to receivecorresponding registration elements from wall panels (not shown). Secondmain surface 750 a further comprises holes 753 a, 753 b, which areadapted to each receive a screw, a bolt, or other suitable connector tosecure gable wall panel 641 to a suitable attachment site such as agable coupling box such as those seen in FIG. 8. First main surface 750b also comprises holes such as hole 753 c adapted to receive a suitableconnector.

Another embodiment, of rectangular gable wall panel 651 a, appears inFIGS. 145-150. FIG. 145 provides a perspective view of gable wall panel651 a with gable coupling boxes 662 a, 662 b, 662 c. A right sideelevation view along the direction of arrow C of FIG. 145 appears inFIG. 146. Left side elevation along the direction of arrow F appears inFIG. 147. Front elevation view from the direction of arrow E appears inFIG. 148; back elevation view from the direction of arrow B would beidentical. A bottom-up plan view from the direction of arrow D isprovided in FIG. 149; a top-down plan view from the direction of arrow Aappears in FIG. 150. Gable wall panel 651 a comprises a first mainsurface 831 a and a second main surface 831 b that are supported andseparated by a plurality of edge members 832 a, 832 b. Edge member 832 afurther comprises upper registration tabs 833 a, 833 b and lowerregistration tab 834 a. Those tabs 833 a, 833 b, 834 a are adapted toengage registration receiving slots on wall panels and other gable wallpanels (not shown). Similarly, edge member 832 b comprises upperregistration tabs 833 g, 833 h and lower registration tab 834 d. Gablewall panel 651 a further comprises ribs (not seen) that comprise lowerregistration tabs 834 b, 834 c and upper registration tabs 833 c, 833 d,833 e, 833 f. Those tabs 833 c-f and 834 b-c are adapted to engageregistration receiving slots on wall panels and other gable wall panels(not shown). Gable coupling boxes 662 a, 662 b, 662 c engage and furtherstabilize coupling with other gable wall panels (not shown).

D. Roof Panels and Roof Beams

FIGS. 45-48 provide various views of roof panel 404, also seen in FIG.9. FIG. 45 provides a perspective view; FIG. 46 provides an end-onelevation view from the direction of arrow A in FIG. 45; the end-onelevation view from the other end would be a mirror image of FIG. 46.FIG. 47 provides a right-side elevation view from the direction of arrowB in FIG. 45. FIG. 48 provides a top-down plan view from the directionof arrow C in FIG. 45.

Roof panel 404, useful in modular construction, comprises at least onerib 442 a supporting and separating an upper surface 437 a and a lowersurface 437 b; wherein the upper surface 437 a is adapted to serve as aroof surface or roof subsurface; and wherein the at least one rib 442 acomprises two shear-stabilizing coupling elements 434 c, 434 f emergingfrom opposite sides of roof panel 404, and opening 443.Shear-stabilizing coupling element 434 c is proximal to the uppersurface 437 a; while shear-stabilizing coupling element 434 f isproximal to lower service 437 b. Two more ribs (not seen) supportadditional shear-stabilizing coupling elements. One of those ribscomprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements 434 b and 434 e; the otherof those ribs comprises shear-stabilizing coupling elements 434 a and434 d. In an alternative embodiment, each of shear-stabilizing couplingelements 434 a-434 f is attached to an anchor (for a total of sixanchors) that supports and separates upper surface 437 a and a lowersurface 437 b. In yet another alternative embodiment, roof panel 404comprises a combination of one or more ribs and two or more anchors.Roof panel 404 as shown comprises a plurality of edge members 438 a and438 b that at least partially enclose and define an interior volume withthe upper surface 437 a and the lower surface 437 b. Roof panel 404optionally comprises a water-impermeable material such as, for example,on upper surface 437 a and/or on lower surface 437 b. Upper surface 437a can further comprise any suitable roofing material, such as, forexample, tarpaper (which also serves as a water-impermeable material),shingles including asphalt shingles, wooden shingles, slate, tile,photovoltaic “solar panel” shingles, and combinations thereof. Throughopenings 436 c and 436 f, rib 442 a is adapted to receive and couple tothe shear-stabilizing coupling elements of adjacent roof panels (notshown). Similarly, openings 436 a, 436 b, 436 d, and 436 e allowcoupling to the shear-stabilizing coupling elements of those adjacentroof panels. Edge member 438 b shows insulation injection ports 440 c,440 d that allow insulation to be injected or blown into the interiorvolume of roof panel 440. Any suitable insulation can be used. In somecases, that insulation is added after roof panel 404 is installed, sothat a roof beam (not shown) can engage roof beam registration elements441 a and 441 b on edge members 438 a and 438 b, respectively, andassist in keeping the insulation within roof panel 404. Similarly, afascia (not shown—but see fascia 472 in FIG. 9) engages with fasciaregistration element 441 d on edge member 438 b to assist in keeping theinsulation within roof panel 404. Wall registration element 423, whichcomprises wall registration tabs 423 a, 423 b, is adapted to engage thetop edge of a gable wall panel (not shown). Roof panel 404 can compriseany suitable material, such as an engineered wood product such asoriented strand board, among other possible materials.

FIGS. 49-52 shows several views of fascia 471. FIG. 49 shows aperspective view; FIG. 50 shows a top-down plan view. FIG. 51 shows abottom-up plan view. FIG. 52 shows an end-on elevation view; the end-onelevation view from the other end would be a mirror image of FIG. 52.Fascia 471 comprises a lower horizontal support member 474 supportingtwo vertical support members 473 a, 473 b. Lower horizontal supportmember 474 comprises registration slots 475 a, 475 b, 475 c, 475 d, and475 e, which are adapted to receive the corresponding fasciaregistration elements of roof panels (not shown) such as fasciaregistration element 441 d of roof panel 404 described above. The fasciaregistration elements of two adjoining roof panels would slidinglyengage a registration slot such as registration slot 475 d. In this way,adjoining roof panels would adjoin and support each other. Withoutwishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that such supportcontributes to the enhanced structural integrity exhibited by someembodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 53-54 and 117-121 show different views of roof panel 412 also seenin FIGS. 6 and 9. FIG. 53 provides a perspective view, while FIG. 54provides a left side elevation view from the direction of arrow C, withroof panel 412 oriented as it would be on a roof. FIG. 117 provides aright side elevation view from the direction of arrow F in FIG. 53. FIG.118 provides a rear elevation view from the direction of arrow E, whileFIG. 119 provides a front elevation view from the direction of arrow Bin FIG. 53. FIG. 120 provides a top-down plan view from the direction ofarrow A, while FIG. 121 illustrates a bottom-up plan view from thedirection of arrow D in FIG. 53. Roof panel 412 comprises an uppersurface 447 a and two lower surfaces 447 b, 447 c that are supported andseparated by rib 450 a. Roof panel 412 further comprises two additionalribs (not seen) that have shear-stabilizing coupling elements such asshear-stabilizing coupling element 432 b. Rib 450 a further comprisesopenings 448 a and 448 d, adapted to receive and couple to theshear-stabilizing coupling elements of adjacent roof panels (not shown).The other ribs 450 b, 450 c also comprise openings such as openings 448b, 448 c adapted to receive and couple to the shear-stabilizing couplingelements of those adjacent roof panels. Edge members 445 a, 445 bsupport and separate the upper surface 447 a from lower surfaces 447 b,447 c. Edge member 445 b comprises insulation injection ports such asinsulation injection port 446 d, through which insulation can beinjected or blown, either before or after installation of roof panel412. Roof panel 412 has wall engagement member 415 that comprises aplurality of wall registration elements such as wall registration tabs421 and 422. Wall engagement member 415 comprises wall engagementsupports 492 a, 492 b. Wall engagement support 492 b comprises wallregistration tabs 421, 422; wall engagement support 492 a also compriseswall registration tabs (not seen). Load transfer from roof panel 412 tocorresponding wall structures is aided by bird beak cuts 449 a and 449 bto rib 450 a, and bird beak cuts 449 e and 449 f to rib 450 c. Roofpanel 412 optionally comprises a water-impermeable material such as, forexample, on upper surface 447 a and/or on lower surfaces 447 b, 447 c.Upper surface 447 a can further comprise any suitable roofing material,such as, for example, tarpaper (which also serves as a water-impermeablematerial), shingles including asphalt shingles, wooden shingles, slate,tile, photovoltaic “solar panel” shingles, and combinations thereof.

FIGS. 55-56 and 122-136 depict further embodiments of the presentinvention relating to a structure to support a ceiling and a roof. Roofbeam 461 and ceiling beam 452 are also seen in FIG. 1. Ceiling beam 452supports central ceiling post 756 and side ceiling posts 755, 757.Ceiling post 755 terminates at its upper end with registration slot 758,which is adapted to receive a corresponding registration element of roofbeam 464. Ceiling post 757 terminates at its upper end with aregistration slot 759, which is adapted to receive registration tab 769of roof beam 461. Ceiling post 756 terminates at its upper end with roofbeam registration slot 760, and roof panel registration slot 761. Roofbeam registration slot 760 is adapted to receive the correspondingregistration elements of two roof beams, such as, for example ceilingpost registration tab 766 of roof beam 464 and ceiling post registrationtab 765 of roof beam 461. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it isbelieved that receiving the registration tabs 765, 766, central ceilingpost 756 connects and secures roof beams 461, 464 in a manner thatimparts improved structural integrity to certain embodiments of thepresent invention. Similarly, roof panel registration slot 761 isadapted to receive the corresponding registration elements of twoadjoining roof panels (not shown). Roof beam 464 further comprises itsown central roof panel registration slot 768, while roof beam 461comprises central roof panel registration slot 767. Central roof panelregistration slots 767, 768 likewise are adapted to receive thecorresponding registration elements of two adjoining roof beams (notshown) at the highest point of the roof. Ceiling post registration tab765 and ceiling beam registration slot 771 are adapted to transfer loadto structure below. Roof panel 461 comprises two vertical supportmembers 762 a, 762 b supporting and separating an upper support member763 and a lower support member 764. Upper support member 763 comprises aplurality of registration elements, such as, for example roof panelregistration slot 770 c and roof panel registration slot 770 g, whichare adapted to receive the corresponding structure of roof panels (notshown). For example, registration slot 770 c receives a side member ofroof panel 402, as seen in FIG. 1. The upper surface of roof panel 402can be attached by any suitable means, such as screws or nails, to theupper support member 763 of roof beam 461. Similarly, registration slot770 g receives the corresponding structure of roof panel 411, as seen inFIG. 1. Lower support member 764 also comprises registration elements,some of which are integral with the vertical support members 762 a, 762b. For example, ceiling beam registration slot 771 allows roof beam 461to rest on registration tab 772 of ceiling beam 452. In addition, roofbeam 461 comprises wall registration slot 773, which allows roof beam461 to connect with a wall panel (not shown) that supports ceiling beam452. Roof beam 464 comprises wall registration slot 774, which allowsroof beam 464 to connect with a wall panel (not shown—for example, wallpanel 622 in FIG. 1) that supports the other end of ceiling beam 452.Proof beams of the present invention can be made of any suitablematerial, such as, for example, engineered wood product such as orientedstrand board, among other suitable materials. Roof beams, furthermore,can comprise insulation, such as, for example fiber insulation that isadhered to or nailed to the beam, or foam insulation that is sprayed onbeam, either before or after installation.

Roof beam 461 appears in FIGS. 122-126. FIG. 122 provides a right sideelevation view of roof beam 461; its left side elevation view is themirror image. FIG. 123 provides a top-down plan view from the directionof arrow A in FIG. 122, and FIG. 124 provides a bottom-up plan view fromthe direction of arrow C in FIG. 122. FIG. 125 provides a frontelevation view from the direction of arrow D, while FIG. 126 illustratesa back elevation view from the direction of arrow B in FIG. 122.

Central ceiling post 756 appears in FIGS. 127-131. A perspective viewappears in FIG. 127. FIG. 128 presents a side elevation view; the rightside view and left side view are identical. FIG. 129 provides a frontelevation view, which is identical to the back elevation view. FIG. 130illustrates a top-down plan view, and FIG. 131 provides a bottom-up planview of central ceiling post 756.

Side ceiling post 757 appears in FIGS. 132-136. A perspective view ofside ceiling post 757 is provides in FIG. 132. FIG. 133 presents a leftside elevation view, while FIG. 134 provides a right side elevation viewof side ceiling post 757. FIG. 135 illustrates a back elevation view;the front elevation view is the mirror image. FIG. 136 illustrates thetop-down plan view, which is identical to the bottom-up plan view.

Ridge roof panel 405, visible in FIG. 1, appears in FIGS. 137-143. Aperspective view of ridge roof panel 405 is shown in FIG. 137. FIG. 138provides a left side elevation view seen from the direction of arrow E,while FIG. 139 illustrates the right side elevation view seen from thedirection of arrow B in FIG. 137. FIG. 140 provides a top-down plan viewseen from the direction of arrow A, and FIG. 141 provides a bottom-upplan view from the direction of arrow D. FIG. 142 illustrates the backelevation view from the direction of arrow F, while FIG. 143 providesthe front elevation view of ridge roof panel 405 from the direction ofarrow C in FIG. 137.

Ridge roof panel 405, useful in modular construction, comprises at leastone rib 825 a supporting and separating an upper surface 820 a and alower surface 820 b, wherein the upper surface 820 a is adapted to serveas a roof surface or a roof subsurface; and wherein the at least one rib825 a comprises at least one shear stabilizing element 821 a and atleast one opening 823 a adapted to receive and couple to ashear-stabilizing element of an adjacent roof panel (not shown). Ridgeroof panel 405 comprises a plurality of edge members 822 a, 822 b thatat least partially enclose and define an interior volume with the uppersurface 820 a and the lower surface 820 b. Upper surface 820 a extendsbeyond edge member 822 b to form upper ridge engagement surface 824 a,and lower surface 820 b extends beyond edge member 822 b to form lowerridge engagement surface 824 b. Those engagement surfaces 824 a, 824 bare adapted to engage corresponding engagement surfaces from ridge roofpanels on the opposing slope of the roof to form a roof ridge, and canbe coupled by any suitable method. In some cases, a strip of metal canrun at least partly along the ridge line and be nailed, screwed, glued,or otherwise attached to upper ridge engagement surfaces. Similarly,lower ridge engagement surface 824 b can be attached to correspondinglower ridge engagement surfaces of other ridge roof panels (not shown),or left unconnected in certain embodiments.

Rib 825 c comprises shear-stabilizing element 821 c and opening 823 cadapted to receive and couple to shear-stabilizing elements of adjacentroof panes (not shown). In the present embodiment, ribs 825 a and 825 cappear with shear-stabilizing elements 821 a, 821 c, respectively;shear-stabilizing element 821 b also appears. Alternatively, one or moreshear-stabilizing elements can attach to one or more anchors, whichanchors replace one or more ribs. Edge members 822 a, 822 b define andat least partially enclose an interior volume with upper surface 820 aand lower surface 820 b. That interior volume can be filled with anysuitable insulation before or after installation, such as by injectingor blowing insulation through insulation injection ports 826 a, 826 b.

Ridge roof panel 405 can comprise any suitable material, such as anengineered wood product such as oriented strand board, among otherpossible materials. Upper surface 820 a can further comprise anysuitable roofing material, such as, for example, tarpaper (which alsoserves as a water-impermeable material), shingles including asphaltshingles, wooden shingles, slate, tile, photovoltaic “solar panel”shingles, and combinations thereof.

E. Subfoundation and Floor

FIG. 57 depicts a perspective view from above of another embodiment,namely, a plurality of beams (such as 101, 102,) connected by beam nodes(such as 502) attached to helical piles (such as 1017, 1024). FIG. 58depicts a perspective view from below of a portion of the embodimentshown in FIG. 57. In addition, floor panels (such as 201, 209, 210) havebeen added. A grid of any suitable supports such as, for examplecement-supported posts, cinderblocks, timber piles, or helical pilesdriven into soil, compacted soil, wet or setting cement, bedrock, orother suitable substrate can be used to form a subfoundation. In FIG.57, 28 helical piles such as helical piles 1001, 1002, 1003, 1007, 1008,1009, 1010, 1014, 1017, and 1024 have been driven into soil under anapplied pressure, and only the portion of the piles remaining of aboveground is depicted in FIG. 57. Any suitable applied pressure can beused. For example, a downward pressure on the order of 10.1 Kips (5.05Tons) up to 11.6 Kips (5.8 Tons) can be applied to a helical pile beingrotatably driven into undisturbed soil, in some cases. To those helicalpiles are attached beam nodes such as beam node 502, 507. To those beamnodes, beams such as beams 101, 102, 105, 106, 107, have been attached.The beams and beam nodes in FIG. 58 have floor panels such as floorpanels 201, 209, 210 installed thereon. Further discussion of FIGS. 57and 58 appear in the examples below.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Performance of Beams and Floor Panels

Six helical piles having a 2⅞″ tubular shaft manufactured by GoliathTech were obtained. The helical piles were driven into soil in two rowsof three piles each, with 18″ of the 7′ long pile remaining aboveground, and each pile being 7′-8″ apart from its neighbor. Each pile wasinstalled with a high torque drill attachment on a Kubota KX057-4Compact Excavator. Downward pressure on the order of 10.1 Kips (5.05Tons) up to 11.6 Kips (5.8 Tons) was applied by the excavator duringpile insulation to avoid plowing the soil. A 5″×5″ steel plate cappedeach pile, to which beam nodes similar to three-way beam node 503 andtwo-way beam node 509 were affixed with structural wood screws throughfour holes in the plate. Seven beams similar to floor beams 102 and 103were coupled to the nodes by engaging the beam node coupling elements ateach end of a beam, and screws secured the beams to the nodes, such asby securing hole 543 a to hole 192 a in FIG. 3. Two perimeter floorpanels similar to floor panels 202 and 203 were installed end-to-endover two beams and three piles, and six floor panels similar to floorpanel 208 spanned the remaining distance to the second row of threepiles supporting beams. A near end of a beam was secured to a node andpile; floor panels were joined together by engaging theshear-stabilizing coupling elements of one floor panel to the ribs ofthe neighboring floor panel; then a far end of a beam was secured to thenext node and pile. Upper surfaces of floor panels were screwed to floorbeams every 4″ where they overlapped.

To test the shear strength of the eight-panel floor, a ⅜″ heavy chainwas passed through the perimeter floor panels end-to-end, and secured toa 6″×6″ steel plate over a 2-ply ¾″ Advantech 24″×8″ board to form apressure plate. Using FIGS. 57 and 58 to illustrate the eight-panelfloor, the chain would have passed through floor panels 210 and 209parallel to beam 107, with the pressure plate near pile 1003 and thechain exiting floor panel 209 near pile 1001. Table 1 correlates the sixpiles of the test floor to the piles identified in FIG. 58, to furtherillustrate the test floor.

TABLE 1 Test Pile Number Corresponding Pile in FIGS. 57 and 58 1 1001 21008 3 1002 4 1009 5 1003 6 1010A Dillon Mechanical Dynamometer connected the chain to the Excavator, toapply a tension load simulating a base shear from wind or seismicloading.

The excavator applied a load, and the deflection of each pile wasmeasured at the top of each pile under load. The results appear in Table2.

TABLE 2 Deflection Measurements Load Pile 1 Pile 2 Pile 3 Pile 4 Pile 5Pile 6 1,000 lbs ⅜″ ¼″ 3/32″ 0″ 5/16″ 0″ 2,000 lbs ½″ ¼″ 5/16″ 0″ ½″1/16″ 3,400 lbs 13/16″ 7/16″ 17/32″ 0″ 13/16″ 3/16″ 5,400 lbs 1 3/16″ ½″1 5/16″ 1/16″ 1⅛″ 5/16″

After the initial round of incremental load testing, the residualdeformation was measured with no load applied. Then, a first cyclicloading of four cycles of 5,000 lbs and release were applied, andresidual deformation measured with no load applied. A second cyclicloading of five cycles of 5,000 lbs and release were applied, andresidual deformation was measured with no load applied. These residualdeformation results appear in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Deformation Measurements Load Pile 1 Pile 2 Pile 3 Pile 4 Pile 5Pile 6 Incremental Loads 3/16″ ⅛″ 0″ 0″ ⅛″ 1/16″ Cyclic Loading # 1 ¼″⅛″ 0″ 0″ ¼″ 1/16″ Cyclic Loading # 2 ¼″ 3/16″ 0″ 0″ ¼″ 1/16″

The dynamometer has a maximum capacity of 5,000 lbs, but the excavatoris rated in excess of 10,000 lbs, perhaps approximately 12,000 lbs. Thismaximum load was applied five times to seek the weakest components ofthe test floor. Extreme deflections of the piles were observed,including deflection in excess of 3½″ for pile 1. After five cycles ofmaximum load and release, each pile returned to its maximum deflectionshown in Table 3. No buckling or failure was observed or found in any ofthe floor beam or floor panel members or connections, nor was anyaudible cracking or shearing of the glue-joint panel and beamconnections noted during the maximum load testing.

After the foregoing tests, the test floor was disassembled and a 5,000lbs load was applied to pile 5 in the same direction as the previousloads. At 5,000 lbs, pile 5 deflected laterally 1 5/16″.

The International Building Code (2012) recommends a maximum allowableload of one-half of the load causing a 1″ lateral deflection. From theforegoing tests, it is estimated that the lateral allowable design valueis 2,000 lbs at 18″ above grade. That far exceeds the expected shearload presented by a 149 mph Category 5 hurricane-force wind having awind pressure of 29.7 PSF. Distributed over the 28 piles of FIG. 57,that equates to a load of about 350 lbs per pile.

Example 2 Performance of a Completed Home

A home is constructed on 28 helical piles as shown in FIG. 57, andcompleted in accordance with FIG. 1. A chain connected to a pressureplate affixed to the interior side of wall panel 301 is passed throughwall panel 301 to a dynamometer and excavator as described in Example 1.A tension load is applied as in Example 1. The home is expected tosustain a load far exceeding that delivered by a Category 5hurricane-force wind with minimal lateral deflection and no buckling orfailure in any of the components or connections, nor any audiblecracking or shearing of those components and connections.

EMBODIMENTS A. Beams and Beam Nodes Embodiment 1

A beam useful in modular construction comprising: one or more verticalsupport members supporting and separating

an upper horizontal support member anda lower horizontal support member; andat least one ledger adapted to support a vertical load.

Embodiment 2

The beam of embodiment 1, wherein the upper horizontal support memberfurther comprises at least one registration element.

Embodiment 3

The beam of embodiment 2, wherein the at least one registration elementis adapted to receive at least one corresponding registration element ofa floor panel, wall panel, ceiling panel, or a combination thereof.

Embodiment 4

The beam of any one of embodiments 2-3, wherein the beam has a first endand a second end, and the first end comprises a first beam node couplingelement.

Embodiment 5

The beam of embodiment 4, wherein the second end comprises a second beamnode coupling element.

Embodiment 6

The beam of any one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the beam comprises anengineered wood product.

Embodiment 7

The beam of embodiment 6, wherein the engineered wood product comprisesoriented strand board.

Embodiment 8

The beam of any one of embodiments 1-7, further comprising insulation.

Embodiment 9

The beam of any one of embodiments 2-8, wherein the upper support membercomprises the at least one registration element in sufficient number toreceive the corresponding registration elements of at least two wallpanels.

Embodiment 10

The beam of any one of embodiments 2-9, wherein the upper support membercomprises the at least one registration element in sufficient number toreceive the corresponding registration elements of at least three wallpanels.

Embodiment 11

The beam of any one of embodiments 2-10, wherein the upper supportmember comprises the at least one registration element in sufficientnumber to receive the corresponding registration elements of at leastfour wall panels.

Embodiment 12

The beam of any one of embodiments 1-11, wherein the at least one ledgeradapted to support a vertical load is attached to a first vertical faceof the one or more vertical support members.

Embodiment 13

The beam of any one of embodiments 1-12, wherein the at least one ledgeradapted to support a vertical load comprises two ledgers, wherein thefirst ledger is attached to a first vertical face of the one or morevertical support members, and the second ledger is attached to a secondvertical face of the one or more vertical support members.

Embodiment 14

A beam node useful in modular construction comprising:

a lower horizontal support member supportingat least two vertical support members,wherein the at least two vertical support members define at least twobeam coupling elements; andat least one registration element.

Embodiment 15

The beam node of embodiment 14, wherein the at least two beam couplingelements comprise a first beam coupling element and a second beamcoupling element,

wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a firstbeam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam couplingelement.

Embodiment 16

The beam node of embodiment 14, wherein the at least two beam couplingelements comprise a first beam coupling element and a second beamcoupling element,

wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a firstbeam perpendicular to a second beam coupled to the second beam couplingelement.

Embodiment 17

The beam node of embodiment 14,

wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprisea first beam coupling element,a second beam coupling element, anda third beam coupling element;wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a firstbeam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam couplingelement, and the third beam coupling element is adapted to couple athird beam perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam.

Embodiment 18

The beam node of embodiment 14,

wherein the at least two beam coupling elements comprisea first beam coupling element,a second beam coupling element,a third beam coupling element, anda fourth beam coupling element;wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple a firstbeam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beam couplingelement,the third beam coupling element is adapted to couple a third beamperpendicular to the first beam and the second beam, andthe fourth beam coupling element is adapted to couple a fourth beam inline with the third beam and perpendicular to the first beam and thesecond beam.

Embodiment 19

The beam node of any one of embodiments 14-18, wherein the at least oneregistration element comprises two substantially parallel verticalsupports separated by a spacer element, thereby defining tworegistration element receivers between the two substantially parallelvertical supports.

Embodiment 20

The beam node of any one of embodiments 14-19, wherein the at least oneregistration element is adapted to receive at least one correspondingregistration element of a floor panel, wall panel, ceiling panel, or acombination thereof.

Embodiment 21

The beam node of any one of embodiments 14-20, wherein the at least oneregistration element is adapted to receive at least one correspondingregistration element of at least one wall panel.

B. Floor Panels Embodiment 22

A floor panel useful in modular construction comprising:

at least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a floor surface orfloor subsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 23

A floor panel useful in modular construction comprising:

at least one anchor supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a floor surface orfloor subsurface; andwherein the at least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 24

The floor panel of embodiment 22, further comprising at least one anchorsupporting and separating the upper surface and the lower surface,wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 25

The floor panel of embodiment 23, further comprising at least one ribsupporting and separating the upper surface and the lower surface,wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 26

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-25, further comprising aplurality of edge members that at least partially enclose and define aninterior volume with the upper surface and the lower surface.

Embodiment 27

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-26, further comprisinginsulation.

Embodiment 28

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 26-27, wherein the interiorvolume comprises insulation.

Embodiment 29

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 27-28, wherein the insulationis chosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers, pellets, andcombinations thereof.

Embodiment 30

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22 and 24-29, wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least three ribs.

Embodiment 31

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22 and 24-30, wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least two shear-stabilizing couplingelements.

Embodiment 32

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22 and 24-31, wherein the atleast one rib is adapted to engage at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element from another floor panel.

Embodiment 33

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22 and 24-32, wherein the atleast one shear-stabilizing coupling element comprises a firstshear-stabilizing coupling element emerging from a first edge of thefloor panel, and a second shear-stabilizing coupling element emergingfrom a second edge of the floor panel,

wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the floor panel.

Embodiment 34

The floor panel of embodiment 33, wherein the first shear-stabilizingcoupling element is proximal to the upper surface, and the secondshear-stabilizing coupling element is proximal to the lower surface.

Embodiment 35

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 23-29, wherein the at leastone anchor comprises at least two anchors.

Embodiment 36

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 23-29 and 35, wherein the atleast one anchor comprises at least six anchors.

Embodiment 37

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 23-29 and 35-36, wherein theat least one anchor is adapted to engage at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element from another floor panel.

Embodiment 38

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 23-29 and 35-37, comprising afirst anchor having a first shear-stabilizing coupling element, and asecond anchor having a second shear-stabilizing coupling element;

wherein the first shear-stabilizing coupling element emerges from afirst edge of the floor panel, and the second shear-stabilizing couplingelement emerges from a second edge of the floor panel,wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the floor panel.

Embodiment 39

The floor panel of embodiment 38, wherein the first shear-stabilizingcoupling element is proximal to the upper surface, and the secondshear-stabilizing coupling element is proximal to the lower surface.

Embodiment 40

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-39, wherein at least one ofthe upper surface and the lower surface comprise a water-impermeablematerial.

Embodiment 41

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-40, wherein the floor panelcomprises an engineered wood product.

Embodiment 42

The floor panel of embodiment 41, wherein the engineered wood productcomprises oriented strand board.

Embodiment 43

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 26-42, wherein at least one inthe plurality of edge members comprise at least one insulation injectionport.

Embodiment 44

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-43, further comprising atleast one registration element positioned on at least one edge of thefloor panel.

Embodiment 45

The floor panel of embodiment 44, wherein the at least one registrationelement is present in sufficient number to receive the correspondingregistration elements of at least two wall panels.

Embodiment 46

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 44-45, wherein the at leastone registration element is present in sufficient number to receive thecorresponding registration elements of at least three wall panels.

Embodiment 47

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 44-46, wherein the at leastone registration element is present in sufficient number to receive thecorresponding registration elements of at least four wall panels.

Embodiment 48

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 26-47, wherein at least one inthe plurality of edge members is adapted to engage a ledger of a beam.

Embodiment 49

The floor panel of any one of embodiments 22-48, wherein the uppersurface is adapted to engage an upper horizontal support member of abeam.

C. Wall Panels Embodiment 50

A wall panel useful in modular construction comprising:

a first main surface;a second main surface;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; andat least one shear block receiving port positioned at a first edge ofthe first main surface;at least one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge ofthe first main surface;wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the first main surface.

Embodiment 51

The wall panel of embodiment 50, wherein the plurality of edge membersat least partially encloses and defines an interior volume with thefirst main surface and the second main surface.

Embodiment 52

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-51, further comprisinginsulation.

Embodiment 53

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-52, wherein the interiorvolume comprises insulation.

Embodiment 54

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 52-53, wherein the insulationis chosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers, pellets, andcombinations thereof.

Embodiment 55

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-54, wherein at least one ofthe first main surface and the second main surface comprise awater-impermeable material.

Embodiment 56

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-55, wherein the plurality ofedge members comprise

an upper edge member,a lower edge member,a first side member proximal to the first edge of the first mainsurface, anda second side member proximal to the second edge of the first mainsurface,wherein the first side member and the second side member support andseparate the upper edge member from the lower edge member.

Embodiment 57

The wall panel of embodiment 56, wherein at least one of the first sidemember and the second side member comprise at least one registrationelement.

Embodiment 58

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 56-57, wherein the first sidemember comprises a first registration element, and the second sidemember comprises a second registration element.

Embodiment 59

The wall panel of embodiment 57, wherein the at least one registrationelement is adapted to engage a registration element of a beam.

Embodiment 60

The wall panel of embodiment 58, wherein the first registration elementis adapted to engage a first registration element of a beam, and thesecond registration element is adapted to engage a second registrationelement of a beam.

Embodiment 61

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 56-60, wherein at least one ofthe first side member and the second side member is adapted to transferload to one or more ledgers of a beam.

Embodiment 62

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-61, wherein the first mainsurface and the second main surface define a lower edge, and the loweredge comprises at least one floor attachment element.

Embodiment 63

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-62, wherein at least two inthe plurality of edge members each comprise at least one utility conduitport.

Embodiment 64

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-63, wherein at least one inthe plurality of edge members comprises at least one insulationinjection port.

Embodiment 65

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-64, wherein the first mainsurface and the second main surface define an upper edge, wherein theupper edge comprises at least one registration element.

Embodiment 66

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-65, wherein the wall panelcomprises an engineered wood product.

Embodiment 67

The wall panel of embodiment 66, wherein the engineered wood productcomprises oriented strand board.

Embodiment 68

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-67, wherein the first edgeof the main surface comprises at least three shear block receivingports, and the second edge of the main surface comprises at least threeshear block receiving ports.

Embodiment 69

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-68, further comprising aplurality of window edge members that define a window opening in thefirst main surface and the second main surface.

Embodiment 70

The wall panel of embodiment 69, wherein the plurality of window edgemembers comprises

an upper window edge member,a lower window edge member,a first side window member proximal to the first edge of the first mainsurface, and a second side window member proximal to the second edge ofthe first main surface,wherein the first side window member and the second side window membersupport and separate the upper window edge member from the lower windowedge member.

Embodiment 71

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 69-70, wherein at least somewindow edge members in the plurality of window edge members comprisewindow frame registration elements.

Embodiment 72

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 70-71, wherein at least one ofthe first side window member and the second side window member compriseat least one registration element.

Embodiment 73

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 70-72, wherein the first sidewindow member comprises a first registration element, and the secondside window member comprises a second registration element.

Embodiment 74

The wall panel of embodiment 72, wherein the at least one registrationelement is adapted to engage a registration element of a beam.

Embodiment 75

The wall panel of embodiment 73, wherein the first registration elementis adapted to engage a first registration element of a beam, and thesecond registration element is adapted to engage a second registrationelement of a beam.

Embodiment 76

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 70-75, wherein at least one ofthe first side member and the second side member is adapted to transferload to one or more ledgers of a beam.

Embodiment 77

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 69-76, wherein at least two inthe plurality of window edge members each comprise at least one utilityconduit port.

Embodiment 78

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-69, wherein the second mainsurface comprises at least one utility access port.

Embodiment 79

The wall panel of embodiment 78, wherein the second main surfacecomprises at least three utility access ports.

Embodiment 80

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 78-79, wherein the second mainsurface comprises six utility access ports.

Embodiment 81

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 78-80, wherein the at least oneutility access port comprises at least one utility access port adaptedto function as an electric wall socket port.

Embodiment 82

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 78-81, wherein the at least oneutility access port comprises at least one utility access port adaptedto function as an electric light switch port.

Embodiment 83

A corner wall panel useful in modular construction comprising:

two main outside surfaces comprising

a first main outside surface joining

a second main outside surface defining an outside corner;

two main inside surfaces comprising

a first main inside surface joining

a second main inside surface defining an inside corner;

a plurality of edge members that support and separate the main outsidesurfaces from the main inside surfaces;at least one shear block receiving port positioned at an edge of thefirst main outside surface distal from the outside corner; andat least one shear block receiving port positioned at an edge of thesecond main outside surface distal from the outside corner.

Embodiment 84

The corner wall panel of embodiment 83, wherein the plurality of edgemembers at least partially encloses and defines at least one interiorvolume between the outside main surfaces and the inside main surfaces.

Embodiment 85

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-84, furthercomprising insulation.

Embodiment 86

The corner wall panel of embodiment 84, wherein the at least oneinterior volume comprises insulation.

Embodiment 87

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 85-86, wherein theinsulation is chosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers,pellets, and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 88

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-87, wherein the firstmain outside surface and the second main outside surface comprise awater-impermeable material.

Embodiment 89

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-88, wherein theplurality of edge members comprises adjacent to the first main outsidesurface,

a first upper edge member,

a first lower edge member,

a first edge member distal from the outside corner, and

a first corner edge member; and

adjacent to the second main outside surface,

a second upper edge member,

a second lower edge member,

a second edge member distal from the outside corner, and

a second corner edge member.

Embodiment 90

The corner wall panel of embodiment 89, wherein at least one of thefirst edge member and the first corner edge member comprise at least oneregistration element.

Embodiment 91

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 89-90, wherein at leastone of the second edge member and the second corner edge member compriseat least one registration element.

Embodiment 92

The corner wall panel of embodiment 90, wherein the at least oneregistration element is adapted to engage a registration element of abeam.

Embodiment 93

The corner wall panel of embodiment 91, wherein the at least oneregistration element is adapted to engage a registration element of abeam.

Embodiment 94

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 89-93, wherein at leastone of the first edge member and first corner edge member is adapted totransfer load to one or more ledgers of a beam.

Embodiment 95

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 89-94, wherein at leastone of the second edge member and second corner edge member is adaptedto transfer load to one or more ledgers of a beam.

Embodiment 96

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-95, wherein at leasttwo in the plurality of edge members each comprise at least one utilityconduit port.

Embodiment 97

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-96, wherein at leastone in the plurality of edge members comprises at least one insulationinjection port.

Embodiment 98

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-97, wherein the firstmain outside surface and first main inside surface define a first upperedge, wherein the first upper edge comprises at least one registrationelement.

Embodiment 99

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-98, wherein thesecond main outside surface and the second main inside surface define asecond upper edge, wherein the second upper edge comprises at least oneregistration element.

Embodiment 100

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-99, wherein thecorner wall panel comprises an engineered wood product.

Embodiment 101

The corner wall panel of embodiment 100, wherein the engineered woodproduct comprises oriented strand board.

Embodiment 102

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-101, comprising atleast three shear block receiving ports positioned at the edge of thefirst main outside surface distal from the outside corner.

Embodiment 103

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-102, comprising atleast three shear block receiving ports positioned at the edge of thesecond main outside surface distal from the outside corner.

Embodiment 104

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-103, wherein thefirst main outside surface and the first main inside surface define afirst lower edge, and the first lower edge comprises at least one firstfloor attachment element.

Embodiment 105

The corner wall panel of any one of embodiments 83-104, wherein thesecond main outside surface and the second main inside surface define asecond lower edge, and the second lower edge comprises at least onesecond floor attachment element.

Embodiment 106

The wall panel of any one of embodiments 50-82, further comprising aceiling beam registration element.

D. Roof Panels and Roof Beams Embodiment 107

A roof panel useful in modular construction comprising:

at least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roof surface or roofsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 108

A roof panel useful in modular construction comprising:

at least one anchor supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roof surface or roofsubsurface; andwherein the at least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 109

The roof panel of embodiment 107, further comprising at least one anchorsupporting and separating the upper surface and the lower surface,wherein the at least one anchor comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 110

The roof panel of embodiment 108, further comprising at least one ribsupporting and separating the upper surface and the lower surface,wherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 111

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-110, further comprising aplurality of edge members that at least partially enclose and define aninterior volume with the upper surface and the lower surface.

Embodiment 112

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-111 further comprisinginsulation.

Embodiment 113

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 111-112, wherein the interiorvolume comprises insulation.

Embodiment 114

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 112-113, wherein the insulationis chosen from open cell foams, closed cell foams, fibers, pellets, andcombinations thereof.

Embodiment 115

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107 and 109-114, wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least three ribs.

Embodiment 116

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107 and 109-115, wherein the atleast one rib comprises at least two shear-stabilizing couplingelements.

Embodiment 117

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107 and 109-116, wherein the atleast one rib is adapted to engage at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element from another roof panel.

Embodiment 118

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107 and 109-117, wherein the atleast one shear-stabilizing coupling element comprises

a first shear-stabilizing coupling element emerging from a first edge ofthe roof panel, and a second shear-stabilizing coupling element emergingfrom a second edge of the roof panel,wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the roof panel.

Embodiment 119

The roof panel of embodiment 118, wherein the first shear-stabilizingcoupling element is proximal to the upper surface, and the secondshear-stabilizing coupling element is proximal to the lower surface.

Embodiment 120

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 108-114, wherein the at leastone anchor comprises at least two anchors.

Embodiment 121

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 108-114 and 120, wherein the atleast one anchor comprises at least six anchors.

Embodiment 122

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 108-114 and 120-121, whereinthe at least one anchor is adapted to engage at least oneshear-stabilizing coupling element from another roof panel.

Embodiment 123

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 108-114 and 120-122, comprisinga first anchor having a first shear-stabilizing coupling element, and asecond anchor having a second shear-stabilizing coupling element;

wherein the first shear-stabilizing coupling element emerges from afirst edge of the roof panel, and the second shear-stabilizing couplingelement emerges from a second edge of the roof panel,wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the roof panel.

Embodiment 124

The roof panel of embodiment 123, wherein the first shear-stabilizingcoupling element is proximal to the upper surface, and the secondshear-stabilizing coupling element is proximal to the lower surface.

Embodiment 125

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-124, wherein at least oneof the upper surface and the lower surface comprises a water-impermeablematerial.

Embodiment 126

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-125, wherein the roof panelcomprises an engineered wood product.

Embodiment 127

The roof panel of embodiment 126, wherein the engineered wood productcomprises oriented strand board.

Embodiment 128

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 111-127, wherein at least onein the plurality of edge members comprise at least one insulationinjection port.

Embodiment 129

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-128, wherein the lowersurface further comprises at least one registration element adapted toengage at least one gable wall panel.

Embodiment 130

The roof panel of any one of embodiments 107-129, further comprising awall engagement member that comprises a plurality of wall registrationelements adapted to engage an upper edge of at least one wall panel.

Embodiment 131

A roof beam useful in modular construction comprising:

one or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper support member anda lower support member; anda first registration element and a second registration element adaptedto transfer load to structure below.

Embodiment 132

The roof beam of embodiment 131, comprising a first end and a secondend, wherein the first registration element is proximal to the firstend, and the second registration element is proximal to the second end.

Embodiment 133

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-132, wherein the firstregistration element comprises a ceiling post registration tab.

Embodiment 134

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-133, wherein the secondregistration element comprises a ceiling beam registration slot.

Embodiment 135

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-134, wherein the uppersupport member comprises a plurality of roof panel registrationelements.

Embodiment 136

The roof beam of embodiment 135, wherein the plurality of roof panelregistration elements comprises registration slots.

Embodiment 137

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-136, wherein the lowersupport member comprises a plurality of registration elements.

Embodiment 138

The roof beam of embodiment 137, wherein the plurality of registrationelements comprises one or more ceiling beam registration elements, oneor more wall registration elements, and combinations thereof.

Embodiment 139

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-137, wherein the roof beamcomprises an engineered wood product.

Embodiment 140

The roof beam of embodiment 139, wherein the engineered wood productcomprises oriented strand board.

Embodiment 141

The roof beam of any one of embodiments 131-140, wherein the roof beamfurther comprises insulation.

E. Entire Building Embodiment 142

A building comprising

at least one beam as claimed in any one of embodiments 1-13;at least one beam node as claimed in any one of embodiments 14-21;at least one floor panel as claimed in any one of embodiments 22-49;at least one wall panel as claimed in any one of embodiments 50-68;at least one roof panel as claimed in any one of embodiments 107-130;at least one roof beam as claimed in any one of embodiments 131-141; ora combination of any two or more of the foregoing.

Embodiment 143

The building of embodiment 131, further comprising:

at least one wall panel as claimed in any one of embodiments 69-77;at least one wall panel as claimed in any one of embodiments 78-82;at least one corner wall panel as claimed in any one of embodiments83-106;or a combination of two or more of the foregoing.

F. Methods Embodiment 144

A method of constructing a building, comprising:

(a) installing a plurality of helical piles in ground to establish asubfoundation for the building;(b) affixing a plurality of beams to the helical piles, wherein thebeams comprise one or more vertical support members supporting andseparatingan upper horizontal support member anda lower horizontal support member; andat least one ledger adapted to support a vertical load,wherein at least some of the beams are coupled to other beams in theplurality of beams, to form a foundation for the building;(c) affixing a plurality of floor panels to the foundation, wherein thefloor panels compriseat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a floor surface orsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element,wherein at least some of the floor panels are coupled to adjoining floorpanels in the plurality via the at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement, to form a floor of the building;(d) affixing a plurality of wall panels to the foundation, wherein thewall panels comprisea first main surface;a second main surface;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; andat least one shear block receiving port positioned at a first edge ofthe first main surface;at least one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge ofthe first main surface;wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the first main surface;wherein at least some of the wall panels engage registration elements ofat least some of the beams of the foundation, and transfer vertical loadto at least some of the ledgers of the beams of the foundation;(e) inserting a plurality of shear blocks into at least some of theshear block receiving ports of adjacent wall panels, thereby stabilizingthe wall panels, and thereby forming a wall of the building;(f) affixing a plurality of roof panels and a plurality of roof beams tothe wall, wherein the roof panels compriseat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roof surface or roofsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element;wherein the roof beams compriseone or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper support member anda lower support member; anda first registration element and a second registration element adaptedto transfer load to structure below, wherein the structure belowcomprises the wall;affixing at least one upper surface to at least one upper supportmember;wherein at least some of the roof panels are coupled to adjoining roofpanels in the plurality of roof panels via the at least oneshear-stabilizing coupling element,to form a roof of the building,thereby constructing the building.

Embodiment 145

The method of embodiment 144, wherein the plurality of beams comprisesat least one beam as claimed in any one of embodiments 1-13;

the plurality of floor panels comprises at least one floor panel asclaimed in any one of embodiments 22-49;the plurality of wall panels comprises at least one wall panel asclaimed in any one of embodiments 50-82;the plurality of roof panels comprises at least one roof panel asclaimed in any one of embodiments 107-130;the plurality of roof beams comprise at least one roof beam as claimedin any one of embodiments 131-141; ora combination of any two or more of the foregoing.

Embodiment 146

A method of constructing a floor of a building comprising:

(b) affixing to a subfoundation a plurality of beams, wherein the beamscomprise one or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper horizontal support member anda lower horizontal support member; andat least one ledger adapted to support a vertical load,wherein at least some of the beams are coupled to other beams in theplurality of beams, to form a foundation for the building;(c) affixing a plurality of floor panels to the foundation, wherein thefloor panels compriseat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a floor surface orfloor subsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element,wherein at least some of the floor panels are coupled to adjoining floorpanels in the plurality of floor panels via the at least oneshear-stabilizing coupling element,to form a floor of the building.

Embodiment 147

The method of embodiment 146, wherein the plurality of beams comprisesat least one beam as claimed in any one of embodiments 1-13;

the plurality of floor panels comprises at least one floor panel asclaimed in any one of embodiments 22-49;or a combination of any two or more of the foregoing.

Embodiment 148

A method of constructing a wall of a building, the method comprising:

(d) affixing a plurality of wall panels to a foundation of the building,wherein the wall panels comprisea first main surface;a second main surface;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; andat least one shear block receiving port positioned at a first edge ofthe first main surface;at least one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge ofthe first main surface;wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the first main surface; and(e) inserting a plurality of shear blocks into at least some of theshear block receiving ports of adjacent wall panels, thereby stabilizingthe wall panels, and thereby forming a wall of the building.

Embodiment 149

The method of embodiment 148, wherein the plurality of wall panelscomprises at least one wall panel as claimed in any one of embodiments50-82.

Embodiment 150

A method of constructing a roof of a building, comprising:

(f) affixing a plurality of roof panels and a plurality of roof beams toa wall of the building, wherein the roof panels compriseat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roof surface or roofsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element;wherein the roof beams compriseone or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper support member anda lower support member; anda first registration element and a second registration element adaptedto transfer load to structure below, wherein the structure belowcomprises the wall;affixing at least one upper surface to at least one upper supportmember;wherein at least some of the roof panels are coupled to adjoining roofpanels in the plurality via the at least one shear-stabilizing couplingelement, to construct the roof of the building.

Embodiment 151

The method of embodiment 150, wherein the plurality of roof panelscomprises at least one roof panel as claimed in any one of embodiments107-130.

Embodiment 152

A method of manufacturing a beam useful in modular constructioncomprising:

constructing a beam comprisingone or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper horizontal support member anda lower horizontal support member; andat least one ledger adapted to support a vertical load,thereby manufacturing the beam.

Embodiment 153

The method of embodiment 152, wherein the beam comprises a beam asclaimed in any one of embodiments 1-13.

Embodiment 154

A method of manufacturing a floor panel useful in modular construction,comprising:

constructing a floor panel comprisingat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a floor surface orsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element.

Embodiment 155

The method of embodiment 154, wherein the floor panel comprises a floorpanel as claimed in any one of embodiments 22-49.

Embodiment 156

A method of manufacturing a wall panel useful in modular construction,comprising:

constructing a wall panel comprisinga first main surface;a second main surface;a plurality of edge members that support and separate the first mainsurface from the second main surface; andat least one shear block receiving port positioned at a first edge ofthe first main surface;at least one shear block receiving port positioned at a second edge ofthe first main surface;wherein the first edge and the second edge are positioned on opposingsides of the first main surface,thereby manufacturing the wall panel.

Embodiment 157

The method of embodiment 156, wherein the wall panel comprises a wallpanel as claimed in any one of embodiments 50-82.

Embodiment 158

A method of manufacturing a roof panel useful in modular construction,comprising:

constructing a roof panel comprisingat least one rib supporting and separatingan upper surface anda lower surface;wherein the upper surface is adapted to serve as a roof surface orsubsurface; andwherein the at least one rib comprises at least one shear-stabilizingcoupling element,thereby manufacturing the roof panel.

Embodiment 159

The method of embodiment 158, wherein the roof panel comprises a roofpanel as claimed in any one of embodiments 107-130.

Embodiment 160

A method of manufacturing a roof beam useful in modular constructioncomprising:

constructing a roof beam comprisingone or more vertical support members supporting and separatingan upper support member anda lower support member; anda first registration element and a second registration element adaptedto transfer load to structure below.

Embodiment 161

The method of embodiment 160, wherein the roof beam comprises a roofbeam as claimed in any one of embodiments 131-141.

G. Beam Pocket Adapters Embodiment 162

A beam pocket adapter, configured to receive and support an end of aceiling beam, comprising:

a horizontal support member supporting a first vertical side support, asecond vertical side support, and a vertical back support that togetherdefine a beam pocket for receiving the end of the ceiling beam.

Embodiment 163

The beam pocket adapter of embodiment 162, wherein the horizontalsupport further comprises one or more horizontal reinforcement members.

Embodiment 164

The beam pocket adapter of any one of embodiments 161-162, wherein thevertical back support further comprises one or more roof registrationtabs.

As previously stated, detailed embodiments of the present invention aredisclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosedembodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodiedin various forms. It will be appreciated that many modifications andother variations stand within the intended scope of this invention asclaimed below. Furthermore, the foregoing description of variousembodiments does not necessarily imply exclusion. For example, “some”embodiments may include all or part of “other” and “further” embodimentswithin the scope of this invention. In addition, “a” does not mean “oneand only one;” “a” can mean “one and more than one.”

I claim:
 1. A beam node useful in modular construction comprising: alower horizontal support member supporting at least two vertical supportmembers, wherein the at least two vertical support members define atleast two beam coupling elements; and at least one registration element.2. The beam node of claim 1, wherein the at least two beam couplingelements comprise a first beam coupling element and a second beamcoupling element, wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted tocouple a first beam in line with a second beam coupled to the secondbeam coupling element.
 3. The beam node of claim 1, wherein the at leasttwo beam coupling elements comprise a first beam coupling element and asecond beam coupling element, wherein the first beam coupling element isadapted to couple a first beam perpendicular to a second beam coupled tothe second beam coupling element.
 4. The beam node of claim 1, whereinthe at least two beam coupling elements comprise a first beam couplingelement, a second beam coupling element, and a third beam couplingelement; wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple afirst beam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beamcoupling element, and the third beam coupling element is adapted tocouple a third beam perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam.5. The beam node of claim 1, wherein the at least two beam couplingelements comprise a first beam coupling element, a second beam couplingelement, a third beam coupling element, and a fourth beam couplingelement; wherein the first beam coupling element is adapted to couple afirst beam in line with a second beam coupled to the second beamcoupling element, the third beam coupling element is adapted to couple athird beam perpendicular to the first beam and the second beam, and thefourth beam coupling element is adapted to couple a fourth beam in linewith the third beam and perpendicular to the first beam and the secondbeam.
 6. The beam node of claim 1, wherein the at least one registrationelement comprises two substantially parallel vertical supports separatedby a spacer element, thereby defining two registration element receiversbetween the two substantially parallel vertical supports.
 7. The beamnode of claim 1, wherein the at least one registration element isadapted to receive at least one corresponding registration element of afloor panel, wall panel, ceiling panel, or a combination thereof.
 8. Thebeam node of claim 1, wherein the at least one registration element isadapted to receive at least one corresponding registration element of atleast one wall panel.
 9. The beam node of claim 1, wherein the beam nodecomprises an engineered wood product.
 10. A method of manufacturing abeam node useful in modular construction comprising: constructing a beamnode comprising a lower horizontal support member supporting at leasttwo vertical support members, wherein the at least two vertical supportmembers define at least two beam coupling elements; and at least oneregistration element, thereby manufacturing the beam node.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, wherein constructing the beam node comprises:forming on the lower horizontal support member the at least two verticalsupport members and the at least one registration element.
 12. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the beam node comprises an engineered woodproduct.